Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress his Department has made on its rail electrification programme

The first ever electric trains are now running between Liverpool and Manchester, and Liverpool and Wigan, and the Farnworth tunnel is now open, further proof of this Government’s commitment to electrification – part of the biggest rail investment since Victorian times.

In addition, the honourable gentleman’s constituents are already benefitting from electric trains running from Manchester Victoria, on the edge of his constituency, running into Liverpool. Network Rail’s £44m restoration of Manchester Victoria has completely transformed this station into a modern and exciting gateway to the city – part of more than £1 billion of investment in the north of England.