Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 21
8th Report - Northern Powerhouse Rail
Published 1 Jul 2026
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Northern Powerhouse Rail All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The Department explained it was working with sub-regional groups to develop the railway plans for phases 1 and 2.43 The NAO reported these delivery boards—including the Liverpool–Manchester Railway Board and the White Rose Partnership—are attended by combined authority mayors and ministers. They do not have a decision-making role but can make recommendations to Ministers.44 36 C&AG’s Report, para 2.7 37 Q 15 38 Transport for the North (NPR0003) 39 Qq 15-16 40 Q 26 41 Q 26 42 C&AG’s Report, para 2.9 43 Q 26 44 C&AG’s Report, para 2.9 13
From: Public Accounts Committee, 8th Report - Northern Powerhouse Rail (HC 97), 1 July 2026
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 14 September 2026 (deadline 1 September 2026).