Question
7. What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Transport to improve cross-border transport connections between Wales and England.
Answer
Cross-border travel is crucial to unlocking economic growth and employment opportunities. We are investing at least £445 million in Welsh rail, including in the Burns stations in South Wales, to improve cross-border connectivity and to help tackle congestion on the M4, a vital economic link between Wales and England. It is therefore deeply disappointing that the Welsh Government have chosen not to proceed with the M4 relief road.18% point-scoring
Verdict: AMBER (50/100)
The reply gives a concrete figure, at least £445 million for Welsh rail including the Burns stations, and links cross-border travel to the M4 as an economic route. It does not explain what the Wales Office itself is doing or describe any joint work with the Department for Transport, so the part of the question about the department's own role is only partly answered. A member of the public would have useful specifics but would probably need to ask again about the department's role.
Verdict: AMBER (72/100)
The reply answers the main part of the question directly: it names a specific commitment of at least £445 million in Welsh rail, including the Burns stations in South Wales, and says it is aimed at improving cross-border connectivity. The reply does not explicitly describe any joint work with the Secretary of State for Transport, so that part of the question is only implied. Someone reading it would have concrete, committed information, but might still want confirmation of the working arrangements with the Transport Secretary.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the Wales Office is doing, in conjunction with the Department for Transport, to improve cross-border transport connections between Wales and England. | Partially Addressed | Direct | Statement 2 gives a concrete figure (at least £445 million in Welsh rail, including the Burns stations) explicitly framed as improving cross-border connectivity, and statements 1 and 3 tie cross-border travel to the M4 as an economic link. However, the reply never says what the Wales Office itself is doing or describes any joint work with the Department for Transport, so the question's institutional element is only partly answered. |
| What steps the Secretary of State for Wales is taking, jointly with the Secretary of State for Transport, to improve cross-border transport connections between Wales and England. | Addressed | Direct | The reply names a concrete step, a commitment of at least £445 million in Welsh rail including the Burns stations in South Wales, explicitly aimed at improving cross-border connectivity, which answers what steps are being taken. The reply does not explicitly describe any joint work with the Secretary of State for Transport, so that element is only implied. |