‘Duty to challenge warped ideology’
The Tories must challenge the idea that young people are a “bunch of Corbynistas” heading for communes, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has urged, in a joke-filled address to the party faithful.
Leeds-educated Liz Truss said it was the Conservatives’ “duty” to challenge Labour’s “warped ideology” that personal ambition and success must have come through “abuse of the system”. RAIL PASSENGERS who suffer delays and disruption will be helped to seek compensation via a “one-click” system, the Transport Secretary has announced.
Chris Grayling, who arrived on stage at the Tory conference seven minutes behind schedule, said changes would be implemented to make it easier for people to claim.
Passengers, once registered on the new system, would not have to repeatedly enter their details every time they want to make a claim.
New operators would also be expected to make greater use of technology, such as mobile phone apps, to inform passengers when they are entitled to compensation.
Mr Grayling also announced that York’s outer ring road would be among the first five schemes to benefit from a £100m fund to improve the country’s busiest and most important local A roads.
A new section of the road, which has long been identified as a priority for improving traffic flows in York, is one of the recipients of funds from the Major Road Network fund. York Outer MP Julian Sturdy described the funding his city as “very welcome news”. He said: “Upgrading the ring road has remained one of my top priorities for the area and after debates, questions and letters to Ministers I am pleased that the Government is delivering.
“We are awaiting further details in the spring but I shall continue to meet with Ministers and officials to ensure the ring road is fit for purpose and passengers can expect reasonable journey times throughout.”
During his speech, Mr Grayling reiterated his apology for the chaos caused by timetable reforms this summer.
After noting the number of passengers travelling on the railways has doubled in the last 20 years, Mr Grayling said: “Trains are packed, the network is creaking, passengers experience too many things going wrong.
“We need to look after them when that happens, which is why today I can announce that we will introduce one-click compensation for delays and disruption, making it easier for people to claim compensation.”
Mr Grayling defended the Government’s spending record on railways and criticised Labour for a lack of investment when in power. Labour said his announcement was a “gimmick”.