Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77648 on Railways: Automation, whether the take-up of automated train operation technology will form part of the bespoke performance standards to be applied to future rail investment decisions.

The Government will continue to consider the most appropriate ways to deliver a modern railway that provides benefits for passengers and taxpayers, including through improved performance. We will always assess the opportunity for making best use of technology in achieving this goal.