Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to contract RRSG0009, what risks to the timely delivery of rail reform have been identified; and what assessment she has made of the potential financial implications of those risks.

The rail reform programme, including Great British Railways (GBR), is being delivered through a phased approach designed to manage implementation risk. Especially as the establishment of GBR requires multiple interdependent activities across the Department and rail sector to come together in a coordinated manner. There are no direct financial implications currently identified, although delays could result in opportunity costs if the benefits of rail reform are realised later than planned.