Contribution
We can say with confidence that we will give the Mayor of London the powers and tools to make the project happen; it will then be a question for him to decide whether it actually happens. However, I am sure that, given the support in this Chamber, he will make the project a major priority.
I understand my hon. Friend’s point about level crossings. There is a consultation at the moment, which I hope will be able to identify and deal with some of the particular issues that she mentioned.
I want to say a few words about future fiscal devolution. The Chancellor set out in the Budget his plans to put power into the communities of our country, to get good growth in every postcode. We are moving away from the fragmented and restrictive central Government grant regime to give local leaders greater funding and certainty, with a stronger reward for local growth. That is why alongside the Budget we published a fiscal devolution road map, which sets out a reformed funding model for English regional and local government. Under fiscal devolution, all mayors will receive a share of business rates from 2027 and a share of local income tax from 2028, in place of central Government grants. For local authorities, a key part of our reforms is the commitment to make business rates a fully locally retained tax by the end of the decade.
For London in particular, the Chancellor committed in the Budget to legislating to enable the Mayor of London to establish a successor to the Elizabeth line business rate supplement. Such mechanisms will help the Greater London Authority to finance future transport infrastructure projects such as west London orbital—or indeed other schemes, potentially. Full details on fiscal devolution will be set out at the spending review in 2027.
The Prime Minister has made it clear that it will not be for central Government to decide where London invests; that will be, of course, for Londoners themselves. That means that the Mayor of London will have the tools to deliver the transport links that the capital needs. Along with No.10 North, we will work with the mayor, the GLA, Network Rail and local councils on how fiscal devolution can fund this project.
The west London orbital is at a development stage. As I have already said, Transport for London’s first public consultation is currently under way and will remain open until 18 November. The consultation seeks views on the proposed route, new stations, and the potential impacts and benefits of the new scheme, which will hopefully deal with the concerns that my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing Central and Acton has just referred to.
Once the consultation has concluded, Transport for London will need to consider the feedback alongside the wider evidence as it continues to develop its proposals. Although the scheme is not yet at a funding package stage, we will continue to engage constructively with the mayor and Transport for London as the proposals develop and we continue to unlock funding that will enable the mayor to deliver the scheme should he choose to.
The Rail Minister, my noble Friend Lord Hendy, regularly meets Transport for London and the Greater London Authority to discuss their transport priorities. I am sure he will be happy to meet them again to discuss this further. Of course, it is for Transport for London to determine the timetable for the scheme and keep it on track for possible operation by the mid-2030s. Should Transport for London choose to progress it, we will of course work with them to ensure that there are no Government-controlled obstacles in their way. As with any scheme, we will work with both Network Rail and Transport for London on resolving issues, including on capacity, given that passengers and freight services would share the line.
In closing, I reassure hon. Members that the Government understand the importance of improving connectivity and supporting sustainable economic growth in London. Once again, I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth for securing this debate and for the passion and clear-sightedness with which she has advocated for this particular line.
Question put and agreed to.