"7. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding for local authorities to reduce the number of potholes. ..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"The national problem of potholes has been caused by this Government and their 50% cut to local government funding for tackling it. While the new money is welcome, it is a drop in the ocean. North-east councils alone need £1 billion to sort out their pothole problem. Will the Minister …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"Tyne and Wear fire service is facing £3 million of cuts, which could mean the closure of my local fire station. Will the Secretary of State look at the special problems with funding fire services that are facing local government in the north-east?..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this timely and important debate. Does she not think it ironic that we have those new Hitachi trains, but they cannot go at their maximum speed because the lines are decades old? We are getting new trains, but the lines do not match …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Owen. I repeat my earlier comments about my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell), who managed to secure this extremely necessary and timely debate. At the outset, I give big thanks to the staff of …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"Do not forget the neglect that we in that Labour Government inherited. We turned around the imbalance in hospitals and schools, and we spent a fortune on raising standards to give working-class people a better chance in life...." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"5. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government funding for local authorities in the north-east since 2010. ..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"The Minister will be aware that north-east councils have had a 50% cut in Government grant since 2010. At the same time, the richest individuals in this country have had a £10 billion tax cut. Does he think it is right that these needless tax cuts are paid for by …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech