Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the additional costs incurred by (a) private operators of national rail services and (b) light rail and tram systems as a result from covid-19 have been met by the public purse.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government has approved £3.5bn of additional expenditure to ensure that vital rail services continue to operate. From this additional expenditure, £2.9bn relates to the 2020/21 financial year. It is not yet possible to provide an estimate of the total cost incurred to date

On 23 May, £29m in support was announced to cover five light rail systems in England. This is intended to cover all reasonable additional costs incurred due to COVID-19 over the period of funding and allow them to operate a full service.