What recent discussions has he had with Transport for the North and other stakeholders in the north of England on completing further sections of Northern Powerhouse Rail?

She thanked the Minister but noted that Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities are refusing to meet Transport for the North. The Government's rail promises to the north must be fulfilled, so will he commit to meeting TfN to implement plans in the northern transport charter?

In the north, they have waited six years for improvements in connectivity between major cities with the Northern Powerhouse Rail. However, in the integrated rail plan, promises were broken by ditching the line between Manchester and Leeds for upgrades on existing routes. The chief architect, George Osborne, criticised the lack of ambition in levelling up efforts. Why do this Government keep failing the north?

After 18 years of underfunding, privatising, and running railways into the ground, Labour prioritised modernising old trains. Given climate awareness, the last decade should have focused on electrifying railways but has been a lost decade. Abandoning Northern Powerhouse Rail betrayed northern towns and cities. Government promises on electrification are being broken due to Treasury blocking £30 billion needed for decarbonisation by 2050. How will he meet targets when the Chancellor blocks funding?