Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of building the Midlands Rail Hub on the economy of (a) the midlands and (b) the UK.

The Department for Transport expects to receive an Outline Business Case for Midlands Rail Hub today, 14^th November. We will need to assess the contribution of the scheme to the Government’s objectives – including to the economy of the UK and Midlands region – alongside value for taxpayer money, and affordability considering the forthcoming Autumn Statement.