Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2021 to Question 76803, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of awaiting a RNEP update on (a) industry confidence in a strategic, long-term plan for rail investment, (b) industry investment in acquiring the necessary skills and staff to be able to deliver rail infrastructure projects, (c) the cost to the taxpayer as a result of uncertainty in the supply sector and (d) the completion date.

The Department remains committed to publishing the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) update, which will reflect the significant investment that is taking place across England and Wales. We remain heavily engaged with the rail industry at all levels, and they are well informed of the projects we are taking forward. We regularly discuss strategic planning for the railway (for example, the recently published Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands), and are confident in the capability of the industry to deliver on those plans. The publication of the RNEP will confirm these plans shortly.