BUS driver’s son Sajid Javid will today unveil a major overhaul of the nation’s creaking bus network to help struggling Brits get about.
The Chancellor will pledge billions to boost Britain’s infrastructure, with a new national bus strategy as its centrepiece.
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The plan will restore closed down countryside routes, set up new ‘super-bus’ network with more stops outside of cities, and create of the UK’s first all-electric bus town.
It has been devised to tackle Labour’s popular election offer to voters for better bus services head on.
At the same time, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will also today confirm The Sun’s revelation that he and Mr Javid are instigating a major overhaul in planning permission to turbo-charge house building.
Borrowing to build is at the heart of the Chancellor and PM Boris Johnson’s economic strategy, and was summed up by Boris as “boosterism”.
In his speech to the Tories annual conference in Manchester on Monday, Mr Javid will say: “Investment in our infrastructure will be key to making the next decade one of renewal – boosting our economy and making life easier for people all across the country.
“This will make the UK a better place to live and work, extending opportunity and raising living standards for all.”
CASH FOR ROADS
The Chancellor will also unveil £5bn to support the roll out of full fibre broadband and the 5G mobile network, and new money to upgrade key roads.
And he will announce the first projects in the Government’s roads fund – which include dualling the A66 Trans-Pennine expressway and the A46 Newark bypass, widening the A12 in Essex, and improving the M60 Simister Island interchange in Manchester.
As part of the planning overhaul, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will on Monday confirm home owners in detached houses would automatically be allowed to build up by two storeys without needing specific permission.
He will also announce a new system of rebates to rapidly speed up the green light to build from councils.
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Applicants will get their fees repaid in full if local authorities don’t meet tight deadlines.
Mr Jenrick said: “All too often the planning system proves complicated, outdated and bureaucratic and is too complex and costly for people and small businesses to navigate.
“This is a barrier to building the homes that we need and it must change.”
