Alistair Strathern, MP for the Hitchin, has welcomed news of an extra £1bn of funding from the Government in bus services.

According to a statement released by his office this money will "create new routes, new buses and new jobs across the country, with every region set to benefit, with rural areas set to receive the most support".

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire councils will receive over £15m.

Strathern looks forward to working with the Government to ensure this money can be spent as effectively as possible. He will continue to work with local councils in this effort too.

Alistair Strathern MP said: "Growing up in the Bedfordshire countryside, and now representing our rural area, I know just how vital connectivity is, and how so often it has lacks for so many".

"The economic, social, environmental, and mental wellbeing benefits of increasing rural public transport are huge for communities like ours".

"I look forward to working with local councils to make sure this money goes as far as possible".

"I am proud to support Labour's wider plans to provide a generational uplift to our bus network."