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Written Question
Railways: North of England
Thursday 29th January 2026

Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the (1) development, and (2) construction, cost of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project; and what is the expected year of completion of that project.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government will provide up to £45 billion of funding to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail turn-up-and-go railway services between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York.

This £45 billion does not constitute a formal cost estimate for the programme but is a funding cap that both demonstrates our commitment and ambition, whilst ensuring NPR remains an affordable and efficient programme. Three phases of delivery will see major construction work in the 2030s, continuing through to the 2040s.

Written Question
Railways: North of England
Thursday 29th January 2026

Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government to what extent, if at all, HS2 Ltd will be involved in any part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

No decisions have been taken on the long-term delivery strategy for the programme at this stage. However, HS2 Ltd continue to be involved in the development work covered by the High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill.

Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Berkeley (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 134 Labour No votes vs 3 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 150
Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Berkeley (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 140 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 207 Noes - 159
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL]

"My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on the Bill getting this far. When the Minister replies, can he say whether this sets a useful precedent in relation to the Crown Estate’s assets in England, including the Duchy of Cornwall assets in England? Do the Government have any plans to …..."
Lord Berkeley - View Speech

View all Lord Berkeley (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Railways: East Coast Main Line

"My Lords, would my noble friend the Minister agree that the welcome growth in passenger numbers on the east coast main line was mainly due to the introduction of Lumo, an open-access competitor?..."
Lord Berkeley - View Speech

View all Lord Berkeley (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Railways: East Coast Main Line
Written Question
Petrol: Theft
Tuesday 20th January 2026

Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many fuel recovery claims are made each year by operators of petrol stations in England, where a motorist has not paid for fuel.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Neither the Department for Transport nor the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency hold information about how many fuel recovery claims are made each year by operators of petrol stations in England, where a motorist has not paid for fuel.

Division Vote (Lords)
19 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Berkeley (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 149 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 159 Noes - 153
Division Vote (Lords)
19 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Berkeley (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 155 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 232 Noes - 160
Division Vote (Lords)
19 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Berkeley (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 156 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 235 Noes - 164