Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2022 to Question 11723 on Network Rail: Finance, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on passenger safety of decisions relating to the Control Period 7 budget for Network Rail.

The budget for Control Period 7 is set through the Periodic Review Process, which culminates in the publication of the High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA), which Government is required to produce by 28th October. These documents are developed following close discussion with Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road to ensure all potential impacts are assessed, including on safety, which remains a top priority.