Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Northern Rail on improving the reliability of train services.

Ministers and officials have regular meetings with all of our Train Operating Companies and owning groups on franchise matters.

In the case of Northern Rail, the Rail North Partnership (RNP) manages the Northern franchise on behalf of the Department and Transport for the North (TfN). Arriva Rail North operates the Northern rail franchise under a legally binding contract and is constantly monitored as to its contractual compliance.