Most bus services outside London are commercially operated. The Government recognises the importance of local bus services to helping communities stay connected and has announced over £4.5 billion to support and improve bus services since 2020. This includes over £2 billion to help local authorities deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) and make bus services more frequent, reliable, cheaper, and easier to use. Shropshire Council has been allocated £4.8 million to deliver its BSIP. Local authorities can use BSIP funding to target areas they believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage and revenues; helping to maintain service levels.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government also makes over £200 million available to bus operators every year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to help them maintain their networks. A further £42 million in BSOG funding is provided directly to local authorities to help subsidise socially necessary bus services that might otherwise be commercially unviable. Shropshire Council receives £512,447 of this funding every year.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is also investing almost £600 million to deliver the £2 fare cap scheme in England, helping passengers save on their travel costs, and ultimately encouraging more people to use the bus.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T14:36:22.373Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services: Shropshire"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of miles travelled by bus in Shropshire.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "27133"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719396", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719396/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The government welcomes legacy networks being switched off in a responsible way, as this will increase network efficiency, minimise energy consumption and free up spectrum for 4G and 5G networks and beyond.<\/p>
<\/p>
Ofcom has published details of how it expects the mobile network operators (MNOs) to conduct the switch off in line with their regulatory obligations, and the mobile network operators have committed to offer broadly the same level of coverage via their 4G networks as they currently offer on their 3G (and 2G) networks.<\/p>
<\/p>
Given MNOs\u2019 assurances that 4G coverage should be available in place of 3G following switchover, farmers currently using 3G for navigation should therefore be able to rely on 4G coverage or, failing that, satellite navigation systems.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Shared Rural Network aims to extend 4G coverage to 95% of UK landmass by the end of 2025, while further coverage improvements in the more hard-to-reach areas will continue to be delivered until the start of 2027. 4G coverage is already available to over 93% of the UK landmass.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "27135"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T09:48:10.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mobile Broadband: Rural Areas"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that areas without access to 4G signal will continue to access signal after the 3G switch-off.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "27134"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719397", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719397/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The government welcomes legacy networks being switched off in a responsible way, as this will increase network efficiency, minimise energy consumption and free up spectrum for 4G and 5G networks and beyond.<\/p>
<\/p>
Ofcom has published details of how it expects the mobile network operators (MNOs) to conduct the switch off in line with their regulatory obligations, and the mobile network operators have committed to offer broadly the same level of coverage via their 4G networks as they currently offer on their 3G (and 2G) networks.<\/p>
<\/p>
Given MNOs\u2019 assurances that 4G coverage should be available in place of 3G following switchover, farmers currently using 3G for navigation should therefore be able to rely on 4G coverage or, failing that, satellite navigation systems.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Shared Rural Network aims to extend 4G coverage to 95% of UK landmass by the end of 2025, while further coverage improvements in the more hard-to-reach areas will continue to be delivered until the start of 2027. 4G coverage is already available to over 93% of the UK landmass.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "27134"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T09:48:10.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Global Positioning System: Agriculture"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure farmers will continue to be able to use GPS equipment after the 3G switch-off.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "27135"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719399", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719399/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Under Network North, it was announced that the Oswestry to Gobowen line Restoring Your Railway scheme would progress to delivery, subject to successful business cases. Progress is being made with Network Rail and others on next steps, including on a schedule for development work and costs. The Department expects that such development work will begin in the coming months.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4442", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Huw Merriman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bexhill and Battle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Huw Merriman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T14:42:44.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gobowen-Oswestry Railway Line"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the reopening of the Oswestry to Gobowen railway line.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "27137"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719002", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719002/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 26801<\/a> on 22 May 2024.<\/p> There is currently no legislation for social housing landlords to provide floor coverings, nor is there any legislation for social housing landlords to strip floor coverings out between lets. We are looking at this as part of our ongoing review into the Decent Homes Standard (DHS).<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4821", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Felicity Buchan"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kensington"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Felicity Buchan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "26932"}
, {"_value" : "26933"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-22T16:06:41.063Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Rented Housing: Carpets"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if his Department will update the Decent Homes Standard to mandate social rented properties to provide floor coverings for all habitable rooms.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "26929"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719003", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719003/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government welcomes legacy networks being switched off in a responsible way, as this will free up spectrum for 4G and 5G networks and beyond. Ofcom has published details of how it expects the mobile network operators to conduct the switch off in line with their regulatory obligations. These expectations include providing customers with a minimum of three to six months\u2019 notice of any steps they need to take as a result of their provider switching off their 3G networks; communicating in a clear and timely way, using a range of communication channels to raise customer awareness of the proposed changes; and providing additional support to vulnerable customers.<\/p> <\/p> The mobile network operators have set out advice to their customers on 3G switch off plans on each of their websites.<\/p> <\/p> We will continue to monitor the MNOs\u2019 progress in switching off their 3G networks.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julia Lopez"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-22T09:06:42.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mobile Broadband"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support mobile phone owners whose device is not 4G compatible when the 3G signal is switched off.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "26930"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719004", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business and Trade"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719004/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government are in regular contact with the automotive sector to understand their requirements and we continue to support the automotive sector, including through the Automotive Council Skills Working Group which covers skills issues across manufacturing, aftermarket (repair and servicing) and sales.<\/p> The Government recognises that skills are critical to the current and future needs of the economy and that is why we are committed to delivering a world-leading skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. This is through high quality further and higher education, apprenticeships, and adult training. This is driving productivity and growth by growing talent across the country, addressing skills shortages and responding to evolving skills needs in key growth sectors.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4484", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alan Mak"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Havant"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alan Mak"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-22T15:03:57.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "214"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Skilled Workers: Mechanical Engineering"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the number of skilled mechanics.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "26931"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719005", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719005/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "