Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58292 on Bus Services: North Shropshire, what metrics will be used to evaluate whether the £4.5 million allocated to Shropshire Council for financial year 2025/2026 is delivering improvements in bus service (a) accessibility, (b) frequency and (c) affordability.

The government allocated £4.5 million to Shropshire Council in 2025/26 through the £712 million Local Authority Bus Grant to support and improve bus services. The government used a formula to determine Local Authority Bus Grant allocations in 2025/26 based on need, including population, the distance that buses travel, and the levels of deprivation. Under the formula, Shropshire Council has seen an increase in bus funding compared to 2024/25, when they were allocated £3.8 million.

While the Department closely monitors the finance and delivery performance of all Local Transport Authorities on a quarterly basis, LTAs can use their allocations in whichever way they wish provided this is consistent with the Department's guidance on Bus Service Improvement Plans. The Department encourages local authorities to focus their funding on the actions they and local bus operators believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long-term patronage, revenues and therefore maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities.

In 2025/26 financial year, the Department will also introduce a pilot of an outcomes framework approach. The framework will play a vital role in driving up standards for passengers across England, including North Shropshire.