Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions took place between his Department and the ORR prior to the establishment of the financial framework for Control Period 6; and if he will make a statement.

The financial framework for Control Period 6 has not yet been set and will be finalised by the ORR later this year. The Statement of Funds Available published in October 2017 confirmed Government’s intent to change some of the mechanisms by which it funds Network Rail, but other aspects of the financial framework remain under active development by the ORR. The Department for Transport has regular engagement with the ORR on the development of the financial framework, in light of Government’s strong interest in this issue.