Written question asked by Neil O'Brien (Conservative) on Monday, 21 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2025 (named day). It was answered by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Midland Main Line: Electrification

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the reduction in expenditure from the cancelling the electrification of the midland mainline north of Wigston.

Answer: The decisions taken in the Spending Review on rail enhancements were about prioritising the schemes that provided the greatest contribution to the government’s missions affordably. Rail enhancements are funded as a portfolio and this portfolio received increased funding from the Spending Review, meaning expenditure is expected to increase overall. The final investment decision on the electrification of the Midland Mainline north of Wigston had not been taken at the time of Spending Review, and it was not prioritised for progression in the period. While further Midland Main Line electrification is no longer expected to be funded over this Spending Review period, it has not been cancelled and will be kept under active review as part of our longer-term pipeline of schemes. This decision has not led to a reduction in expenditure on rail enhancements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69372
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Midland Main Line: Electrification
Monday, 8 September 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Finance Electrification Midland main line
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk