Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Barnett consequentials are arising from the Government financial support package for the Thames Tideway Tunnel infrastructure project.

A Written Ministerial Statement of 5 June 2014 (Official Record, Col. 11WS) sets out the reasons for the Government’s decision to provide contingent financial support for the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, and the scope of that provision. The support package is designed to make sure that taxpayers’ interests are protected throughout the construction phase to which it applies.

The likelihood of the support package being called upon is remote, and there will no spending by the UK Government unless it is called upon. Should new funding ultimately be provided to UK Government departments in support of the project, the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way.