Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits of the Northern Powerhouse Rail for Wales.

The Government published the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and Midlands in November 2021 of which Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) forms one component. As NPR is a programme designed to improve connectivity in the North of England, specific economic benefits accruing to Wales from the scheme have not been assessed.

The IRP will improve onward connectivity to the South West and Wales via a new high-speed line from Birmingham to Manchester. Much of North Wales will also be brought within two and a quarter hours of London, via interchange with HS2 at Crewe. In addition, the Midlands Rail Hub business case focuses on improving links to Hereford, Worcester, Coventry and regional links to South Wales and Bristol.