Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the potential merits of the North Yorkshire Mayor having responsibility for North Yorkshire buses.

My Department worked closely with DLUHC and York and North Yorkshire councils to agree the devolution deal for the area which was announced last summer. The deal committed to creating a new York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority which will take on existing Local Transport Authority responsibilities for buses for the area and unlock bus franchising powers for the elected Mayor, should they choose to use them. The devolution deal is subject to ratification by all partners and the statutory requirements referred to within the deal document, including local consent and Parliamentary approval of the implementing secondary legislation. My officials continue to work with DLUHC and the councils to take this forward.