Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of multi-year funding settlements on (a) service improvements and (b) long-term planning by South Western Railway.

The Government is committed to delivering a unified and simplified governance structure for the railways, alongside passenger train services under public ownership. This will provide improved services for passengers, better value for money for taxpayers and ensure decisions across infrastructure and operations are aligned. A multi-year funding settlement will better enable delivery of these outcomes. This will include on South Western Railway, following its transition to public ownership on 25th May 2025.

Officials are also developing a financial framework under which Great British Railways will be expected to operate.