The government has announced plans for a new railway between Manchester and Liverpool. The government said its plans will boost economic potential and living standards in the north, with more reliable and more frequent trains serving major cities, adding up to 40 billion pounds a year to the economy.

The new chair of Network Rail has warned that the creation of Great British Railways and associated reforms must never be at the expense of safety and performance. Richard George was speaking after his appointment had been announced by transport secretary Heidi Alexander. She has also named former Network Rail chief executive Sir Andrew Haines as the chair of DfT Operator Ltd, which runs recently nationalised operators until Great British Railways can take over.