Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Network North budget allocated to connect Manchester to Liverpool applies to the entire section of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail has been set out in the Integrated Rail Plan and Network North. Network North confirmed £12 billion (2023 prices) of investment to enable Northern Powerhouse Rail to proceed in line with previous plans to better connect Liverpool and Manchester. On 25 March 2024, following extensive engagement with local leaders and local MPs, Government announced that it had heard clear support for Northern Powerhouse Rail to serve Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport. Taking account of local views, this will be the primary options for the next stage of development for the NPR route between Liverpool and Manchester.