Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the ICE discussion paper: public transport funding post-covid, published on 21 June 2021, what plans he has to transition future (a) investment and (b) spending on public transport post-covid-19.

My department noted the ICE’s discussion paper with interest, in particular its observations that high quality public transport has a key role to play in reducing emissions, improving air quality and tacking congestion. Ensuring the long-term strength of the transport system post-Covid-19 is critical to our recovery.

We have continued to support the transport sector through Covid-19, providing additional funding to keep critical services running. We recognise there is uncertainty about the future level of transport demand, including changes in peoples' behaviour post pandemic, and we continue to monitor these trends. However, we are confident that through our reforms and investment in areas such as buses, cycling and walking, as well as rail, we can increase public transport demand and provide people with better access to jobs and opportunities. This will boost the whole of the UK economy as we build back better from Covid-19.

We will continue to engage experts from across the transport sector, such as the ICE, as we develop our approach.