Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the additional £2.5 million investment made available to CrossCountry trains will result in more seats on services on the routes between the north east and north west, and the south coast and west of England via Birmingham; and when any such improvements will be in place.

As part of the recent announcement, a capacity uplift is being planned for Cross Country intercity routes on services on the routes between the north east and north west, and the south coast and west of England via Birmingham. The aim is for this uplift to take place from December 2020.