Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wendy Morton and Simon Lightwood

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Simon Lightwood]

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.

[Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)]

Young people in my constituency have already seen the promised Aldridge train station scrapped by Labour, so will the Minister join me in calling on Mayor Parker to back young people by introducing a £1 bus fare cap for under 22s, like the one that Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen has already delivered in Teesside?

[Simon Lightwood]

As I have already mentioned, the Government have provided over £3 billion of funding across the country. Importantly, we are giving local leaders the power to take back control of their buses and decide how they operate, because they are closer to their communities and understand their needs better than someone here in Parliament.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wendy Morton and Simon Lightwood

Thursday 13th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Simon Lightwood]

The Government already invest £700 million in the national concessionary travel scheme in order to fund those bus passes, and at the last Budget we announced over £1 billion of funding to support buses. We changed the formula for BSIP—bus service improvement plans—away from the competitive “Hunger Games” style contests under the previous Government. The hon. Member’s local area will have received funding and it is able to use that funding to go above and beyond what is set on a national level.

[Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)]

4. What steps she is taking to maintain open access railway services.