Secretary of State Grant Shapps: 06 November, 2021 The North-South divide – a concept that captivates this country – may be older than many people think. According to a new school of thought, it’s another thing we owe to the Romans. Preferring a warmer climate and easy trade links to the Continent, Roman legions quickly […]
Secretary of State Grant Shapps: 11 October, 2021 After a party conference speech last week in which the Prime Minister celebrated the Hartlepool by-election, and described levelling up as “the greatest project any government can embark on”, it is perhaps fitting that today we are announcing a major investment to boost and level up Hartlepool’s […]
Secretary of State Grant Shapps: 25 September, 2021 There is often speculation about an imminent government reshuffle when Parliament returns from summer recess each September. This year, it was described as hitting “fever pitch”, with “swirling rumours” about a fresh look Cabinet spread across the media. I try and avoid all the gossip. But I […]
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps: 17 July, 2021 Uniting two of the great cities in the north-east, Sunderland and Newcastle, has not always been easy. Any Mackem or Geordie will tell you it’s a longstanding, passionate and fierce rivalry. And historically, fuelled by fuel. In fact, it was this country’s long-favoured fuel – coal […]
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps: 2 July, 2021 By the end of the 1970s, the UK car industry was in a mess. Constant strikes, woeful build quality and the nationalisation of British Leyland had all but destroyed our reputation as a global automotive leader. For each day that German carmakers lost to industrial action, […]
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps: 22 June, 2021 AS football fans once again headed to Wembley last week for the first major tournament game between England and Scotland in 25 years, I found myself gripped by nostalgia. As the fans travelled down on quick, comfortable and clean trains, which are a far cry from those in […]
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps: 21 May, 2021 Close to Keighley, in the small village of Oakworth, is a rail station that defines this country’s love affair with the railways. With gas-lit lamps, a framed portrait of Queen Victoria, and polished signs for Brasso and Old Calabar dog food, it is a place near-frozen in time. […]