Karen Bradley

MPs call for more investment in bus services

Staffordshire MPs say they want more investment in local bus services.

They've been discussing the issue in Parliament and the MP for the Staffordshire Moorlands, Karen Bradley described the public transport network as "woeful", with some services only running twice a day.

She said conversations with bus companies and local authorities showed a lack of funding and a lack of profitability were to blame.

Jack Brereton
UK Parliament

Although considerably better in Stoke-on-Trent, local MP Jack Brereton, who called the debate, said bus services were often "too few, too slow and too infrequent".

He said cuts to services left the most vulnerable in society and those looking for work cut off.

Mr Brereton said opening up old railway stations in the area, taken out of action during the 1960s Beeching cuts, could also help the wider public transport network.

The government says it's committed to making sure there's equal access to services and employment, and good public buses are at the heart of it.

MP calls on PM to support hospital campaign

The Staffordshire Moorlands MP, Karen Bradley, has asked the prime minister to commit to keeping Leek Moorlands Hospital open.

The NHS has been consulting over the future of healthcare in the area and she said there was "understandable concern" about its future.

Karen Bradley
UK Parliament TV

Boris Johnson replied: "Of course she will understand that decisions affecting Leek Moorlands, must be led by clinicians, but I hope that a solution can be found that benefits everyone."