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Rishi Sunak Excerpts
Thursday 8th January 2026

(2 days, 21 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Simon Lightwood Portrait Simon Lightwood
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Government funding to improve bus services for passengers should do just that, and should protect vital services. It is frankly shocking that Lib Dem-led Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council is cutting support for local bus services. I encourage the council to listen to my hon. Friend and ensure that the £17 million allocated to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the next three years delivers improved bus networks for her community.

Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak (Richmond and Northallerton) (Con)
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In my rural north Yorkshire constituency, community bus providers—such as Stokesley Community Care, Hambleton Community Action, Reeth and District Community Transport and the Little White Bus—provide a vital lifeline for elderly residents, taking them to doctors’ appointments, and to social events to combat loneliness. Will the Minister join me in thanking and commending all the volunteers who make those services viable, and ensure that community bus providers remain uppermost in the Government’s mind as they think about bus policy, and perhaps about D1 licences, this year?

Simon Lightwood Portrait Simon Lightwood
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The community bus network does a fantastic job, and I join the right hon. Gentleman in commending the work of those organisations across the country.