Speeches by Buckley.

“Let me ask you a different question. We were also briefed about reports in America—one that was published and one that was not. Why is there no collaborative international report that brings everything together? We are talking about a global problem.”

“That is fascinating. It sounds to me that economic geography is more important than density of geography, but that still leads to the same dilemma for policymakers. How do we make policy across devolved nations and countries where we have this different experience for different populations?”

“Are you suggesting that there should be a statutory consulting team that could feed into proposals for new developments or that could be consulted on new towns? Give us some suggestions that we can feed back.”

“It sounds like if we were encouraging you to bring forward recommendations for Ministers, you would be talking about two different mechanisms, one around looking at existing populations and what can be done around transport policy, and a separate one looking to the future around planning. Would that be a good summary?”

“So we could propose you as an adviser to MHCLG on that topic.”

“Are you suggesting that deprivation levels are more of a factor than urban or rural?”

“It sounds like we need to send a strong message to MHCLG about the role that it could take in leading local authorities. You did touch on the new towns. Do you see an opportunity there for doing something at scale?”

“Just for clarity, Professor Sutton, when you say “support”, you mean time, advice and funding to enable farmers to make this transition?”

“Thank you. I think you have inspired Jenny as well to come back in and comment on this.”

“You have given a lot of detail there specifically about agriculture and how other sustainable practices could have a knock-on effect in the long run on air pollution. Do you think current strategies around air pollution consider adequately not just agricultural emissions, but other rural emissions, or do you feel that …”

“Taking you back to your first comment about the United Nations convention and the fact that the UK Government are the only one looking to make that voluntary, not mandatory, what message would you as experts send to the Government to advise them as they go into the next negotiation?”

“Following on from that, there is already evidence out there about the variable levels to which this is experienced in different geographies. To what extent does someone’s postcode, whether they live in an urban or a rural area, lead to the results and the level of their exposure?”

“Professor Sutton, do you have any advice for the Government as they enter that room?”

“What an excellent suggestion.”

“I thank the hon. Lady for making that point about the inter-regional connectivity between our market towns. We need to get to London, but also to travel to each other. In Shropshire, we have three hospitals dotted throughout the county. Because of the lack of buses between those hospitals, we are reliant on trains. She…”

“My hon. Friend makes a really important point, because most modelling shows that passenger numbers have not just recovered post covid, but have grown significantly. To achieve modal shift, we need to lean into that latent demand and make sure we provide opportunities for people to travel by train. I would also like to …”

“I am delighted to lead this debate to enable the House to discuss the need for rail connections between London and rural towns. As the Minister well knows, I represent the beautiful constituency of Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire and home to some 70,000 residents. We already have the nation’s favourite market…”

“My hon. Friend has made a powerful point about the need to visit these beautiful spots around the country. A loop of the River Severn encircles our medieval town with a beating modern heart on the border with Wales. However, before all Members in the Chamber rush to book their weekend break to Shrewsbury, I must tell t…”

“My hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Connections between towns give rise to employment opportunities and create connectivity, which adds to our local economy, as well as having wider benefits. The WSMR bid will not take profit from other operators, because they choose not to serve our town. Instead, open access could…”

“The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point. Public transport must combine both trains and buses to make sure that all communities are well served. As I was saying, Shropshire is the only county in the UK without a direct train to London. We can change at Birmingham, Stafford or Crewe, but that doubles our chances of a d…”