Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that homeowners near railway lines being (a) created and (b) reopened are informed of the potential impact of new electrification or rail infrastructure on their homes, including the requirement to provide (i) detailed plans from contractors and (ii) contributions by Network Rail before making repairs to their homes.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport expects Network Rail to proactively and transparently engage with lineside neighbours who live close to major rail infrastructure works.

Network Rail’s established consultation and communication procedures require project teams to provide clear information to homeowners regarding the scope and timing of works, potential impacts, and any access requirements. In addition, where new statutory powers are required to construct new rail infrastructure, further details on the scope, approach and any proposed mitigations (in accordance with legal requirements for those mitigations) are set out as part of the application process. Those affected have the opportunity to review and provide representations on the proposals, before a decision is made by the Secretary of State to grant statutory powers in a legal Order.

Network Rail aims to minimise the impact of its works on adjoining neighbours. In the unlikely event that a neighbour considers damage has been caused as a result of Network Rail’s works, Network Rail has a standard process for those affected to set out, and evidence, the basis of their claim, which would then be considered.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of housing repairs that require contributions from Network Rail before proceeding on financial costs to homeowners.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail is responsible for assessing and managing potential impacts that its infrastructure or activities may have on neighbouring properties. Where homeowners believe that damage may be linked to railway operations, assets or work, Network Rail has an established process for investigating claims and determining any contribution it may be liable to make.

The Department has not made a separate assessment of financial impacts on homeowners, as Network Rail’s processes follow existing legal and regulatory frameworks governing liability and compensation. These processes are designed to ensure that homeowners are not unfairly disadvantaged and that any required contributions from Network Rail are determined promptly and transparently.

Found: Claire Hanna; Simon Hoare; Adam Jogee; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; David Smith

Found: Labour; Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party; Belfast East) David Smith

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, since designating China as one of ten priority countries in its Freedom of Religious Belief (FoRB) strategy, what actions her Department has taken to tackle FoRB violations in China.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK stands firm on human rights in China and we are concerned by recent reports of Christians being detained in China. We continue to monitor the situation closely and the Prime Minister raised human rights with President Xi when they met in January. To support our wider efforts to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), David Smith MP was appointed Special Envoy for FoRB in December 2024, and the UK hosted a Geneva event in July 2025 reaffirming the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to raise cases of detained Christian religious leaders with Chinese authorities.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK stands firm on human rights in China and we are concerned by recent reports of Christians being detained in China. We continue to monitor the situation closely and the Prime Minister raised human rights with President Xi when they met in January. To support our wider efforts to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), David Smith MP was appointed Special Envoy for FoRB in December 2024, and the UK hosted a Geneva event in July 2025 reaffirming the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.

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Found: Northern Leader Awards Dinner No Chris Johnson 2025-10-22 University of Warwick Hotel accommodation No David Smith

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