Publicly-controlled Bus Services: Ringfenced Funding

Ian Lavery, the Labour MP for Blyth and Ashington, asked the Government to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the provision of ringfenced funding for local authorities to deliver publicly-controlled bus services. In response, Simon Lightwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, stated that as part of the Government's plan to deliver better bus services, they have committed to reforming bus funding. This will give local authorities the tools they need to ensure services reflect the needs of the communities they serve. The Government wants to give local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding, allowing them to plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. Lightwood said the Government is considering how best to support buses in the longer term as part of the spending review. Lavery welcomed the Government's "better buses Bill" as a fantastic example of what a Labour Government can achieve. He emphasized that for the Bill to be successful, if funding is made available, bus drivers must be paid adequately, and local residents must have an input into the design, regularity, and quality of routes. Lavery asked the Minister to confirm that this will form part of the Bill and that the Labour Government will end the Conservatives' 14-year ideological war on municipal transport. Lightwood agreed with Lavery and reassured him that the Government is committed to delivering better bus services, always putting passengers first. He stated that the forthcoming bus Bill is a crucial part of the reforms, and when introduced later in the session, it will increase the powers available to local leaders, as they are best placed to make decisions on their bus networks. Lightwood also said the Bill will remove the Conservatives' ideological ban on municipal bus companies.