Railway schemes speculation
The chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to set out a range of infrastructure schemes which are to be scaled back or scrapped, in a bid to close a £20 billion funding gap in the public finances. Some road and hospital schemes are said to under scrutiny, along with the £500 million Restoring Your Railway fund, which could also be reduced in scope or suspended. The Fund has already paid for the restoration of passenger services to Okehampton, while current schemes in progress are the Northumberland Line between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ashington, which is due to open this summer, and the Mid Cornwall Metro, for which detailed engineering designs are currently being carried out before upgrading work is due to start later this year. Meanwhile, the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill which paves the way for the nationalisation of most passenger operators is due to be debated by MPs as it receives its Second Reading today.

Eurostar services restored
Eurostar services from London to Paris have returned to normal today, after a weekend of disruption caused by three arson attacks on the French high speed rail network early on Friday, a few hours before the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris. SNCF has been working to repair damaged signalling data cables. Three high speed lines had to be closed, including LGV Nord between Paris and Lille, which carries trains from London, Brussels and Amsterdam. Investigations into the reason for the attacks and the identity of the arsonists are continuing.

Scottish strike ballot
Unite the union is launching a strike ballot on Wednesday involving more than 300 of its members at ScotRail, as a pay dispute continues. The union says ScotRail staff have been offered a backdated two per cent rise from April this year, and a further one per cent in January 2025. The staff who will have the chance to vote include train cleaners, engineers, booking office staff and conductors.