Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an estimate of the relative level of per head spending on railway infrastructure in (a) Wales and (b) England.

This Government believes in the importance of rail investment to support economic growth and bring connections to people all across the country. The level of investment is determined by the needs of the network, value for money and meeting the Government’s priorities, not by population count. We work with the Office of Rail and Road to provide funding to Network Rail that supports the safe and effective operation of railways across England and Wales and, through the Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy, have also provided the significant commitment to at least £445 million of rail enhancements funding for Wales. This is to address the country’s long-term infrastructure needs and meet the Wales Rail Board’s top priorities.