Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their announcement of financial support for airports and other air infrastructure on 25 November, what plans they have to provide similar support to HS1 and Eurostar.

The Government recognises that the international rail sector, as with other transport sectors, has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government has been working closely with both HS1 Ltd and Eurostar since the outbreak of the pandemic to monitor its impact on passenger numbers and services, as well as to provide support, particularly through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Department for Transport officials?have?also been?actively participating?in discussions with Eurostar and?HS1?Ltd?to?consider and?address the?longer-term?challenges facing the HS1 system?as a result of?reduced demand for international rail services. The Government?will continue to engage in these?discussions to identify?appropriate solutions to these challenges, as well as to keep under review the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the international rail sector.