Speeches by Atkinson.

“Can I just ask something about electrification? With the future being, as you said, discontinuous electrification, what further infrastructure is needed to allow it, and how are those conversations going? Sometimes it seems that those responsible for infrastructure will say that there is a need for a rolling stock stra…”

“It is great to hear you describe it as doors being opened with this Government. Are there any obstacles in relation to having to deal with multiple different Departments? How well joined up do you think that is?”

“I have a follow-up. You talked about engaging with GBR. You talked about engaging with the Department for Transport and Network Rail. Considering, as you have set out, the sheer implications over so many different areas—jobs, skills and the possibility for export—who else in government do you liaise with? Do you also e…”

“What are your final thoughts on the need for both rolling stock and infrastructure planning to be in tandem?”

“Thank you.”

“We have heard how important it could be for a rolling stock strategy to be in tandem with an infrastructure pipeline as well. I would really like your thoughts on that and whether there are opportunities to finance the infrastructure as well as the rolling stock.”

“Have you been able, and have you been engaging, in relation to the procurement strategy, to feed in that knowledge?”

“In terms of the knowledge that you have when you are looking at the full life cycles of different trains, you know what is likely to need to be replaced. What knowledge do you have that might be able to be put into a national passenger rail fleet forecast?”

“Expensively.”

“When you are recruiting how do you find people with the skills you need?”

“We saw a day when workers with a combined welding experience of nearly 1,000 years walked out the door because of the delays under the previous Government in securing the Elizabeth line trains. You are absolutely right that that was great news for Toyota, Rolls‑Royce or others who value their skills, but, when i…”

“I would like to move on to Great British Railways, in which, as a Derby MP, and with its headquarters coming to Derby, I have a bit of a vested interest. What are the opportunities? How do you see the procurement system developing with Great British Railways? What will be the benefits, and what barriers will it need to…”

“I think I already asked about barriers. That is covered.”

“Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. Today’s brilliant announcement backing Rolls-Royce to deliver small modular reactors creates more skilled jobs while also delivering clean, secure energy that does not rely on fossil fuels, even when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow. Does the Minister agree that the decision…”

“No one I have spoken to in Derby thinks that millionaires should be receiving the winter fuel allowance, but many will welcome the lifting of the threshold so that more people receive it. Does the Minister agree that this shows the Government listening; it shows money being targeted at where it is needed; and it shows …”

“In the east midlands we have been raging for over a decade against the inequality that has left our region at the very bottom when it comes to spending on transport per person, and it has taken a Labour Government to start to put that right and begin to unlock the economic potential and raise living standards. Would my…”

“Lack of work is a key driver of reoffending. Derby medical manufacturing company Pennine Healthcare has some offenders who work for the company on day release, but it is exploring a project to manufacture in prisons, providing skills and potential work on release. Does the Minister agree that, rather than the continuin…”

“Our British fleet of submarines are the most awesome and lethal machines in the world, keeping the peace unseen and unheard below the waves for generations. As my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary said, the power in that punch comes from Derby’s Rolls-Royce workers, who give them their nuclear reactor cores. Will…”

“8. What steps he is taking to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises are able to participate in defence procurement contracts.”

“T4. I met Major Eales and the Derby and Derbyshire Ex-Services Association, who do so much with fellow veterans at events all year round. Following the launch of Operation Valour, will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the work that it and other associations do and tell us what is being done to encourage and re…”