Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increased energy prices on (a) the Tyne and Wear Metro and (b) other light rail systems.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by the light rail sector caused by higher energy costs. Light rail systems are eligible under the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme which provides a discount on wholesale electricity prices. This scheme is in place from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and is reducing financial pressures across the light rail sector by millions of pounds this winter.

The Government has announced the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, which will provide a level of support with energy costs for a further 12 months for non-domestic customers from 1 April 2023 to March 2024.

The Department continues to engage with Nexus and all local transport authorities that have light rail systems to fully understand the ongoing impacts of higher energy prices.