Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the risks for its work related to planned industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers; and what steps his Department has taken to mitigate those risks.

The Department is working with industry to ensure that we are taking all possible steps to keep as much of the railway as possible running for passengers and freight, and that passengers and businesses are kept fully informed of the impact of disruption. Network Rail is also working to ensure as many planned engineering works as possible can go ahead in the Christmas period.

Departmental officials are taking part in regular roundtables and bilateral discussions with those industries most disrupted by industrial action so the Department and rail industry can better understand the concerns of businesses and passenger groups.