Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Stagecoach Group PLC's press release dated 28 June 2017, preliminary results for the year ended 30 April 2017, what assessment he has made of the effect of Network Rails' reprioritised infrastructure programme on the finances of the InterCity East Coast franchise.

Delivery dates for certain planned enhancements to the East Coast Mainline are due after the end of Control Period 5 (2019). If this affects Virgin Train East Coast’s track access rights beyond 2019, this may lead to financial impacts on the franchise. We regularly update our forecasts of franchise finances as part of our management processes.