Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Integrated Rail Plan on the economy of (a) Yorkshire, (b) York and the (c) the North East compared to his previous proposals on Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2.

The Integrated Rail Plan provides benefits sooner to Yorkshire, York, and the North East, compared to previous plans. Under previous plans, places such as Doncaster, Wakefield, Huddersfield would have seen little benefit, or even a worsening in their service, and connectivity benefits from new lines would not have been realised until the early 2040s. Instead, these and other places will see improved, electrified or faster services. Improving these regional connections will have a positive economic impact, unifying labour markets, so people can access a wider range of jobs, and improve access to international markets so they become more attractive locations for businesses.