Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to extend recent support to maintain the viability of bus routes to also support local tram networks.

The Government has provided over £2 billion in emergency and recovery grants to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the bus and light rail sector and continues to discuss with the sector what further support might be appropriate.

Pandemic-related funding for English Light Rail systems outside London ended on 4 October 2022. This funding had represented exceptional subsidy for light rail systems as their operation and financial sustainability are largely devolved.

The Local Transport Fund, which provided funding until October 2022, helped local authorities with Light Rail systems to adjust to post-pandemic travel patterns.

Furthermore, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will help reduce the financial pressure on light rail systems caused by higher energy prices this winter. This support is expected to be worth millions of pounds to the sector.

The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders in the Light Rail sector to understand the financial pressures on systems, including regarding energy prices.