Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Williams Rail Review will make recommendations on rolling stock procurement to (a) increase UK productivity and (b) create jobs in the North East.

The Williams Rail Review was tasked with bringing forward recommendations for root and branch change in the rail industry.

Keith Williams, its independent chair, and his team have been looking closely across the sector, including at workforce engagement and skills, to ensure it works in the best interests of passengers and taxpayers. He has not been asked to develop specific recommendations on rolling stock manufacturing. A White Paper based on his recommendations will be published soon.