Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there are any financial implications for operators of (a) National Rail Contracts and (b) rail passenger service contracts in the event of industrial action.

(a) The financial implications for operators would depend on the nature of the industrial action and the actions of the operator. Where an operator failed to take appropriate action to mitigate the risk of industrial action in line with its NRC obligations, then potentially it may be liable for any revenue lost as a result. Further information on DfT payments to passenger rail operators under emergency agreements and National Rail Contracts is available on gov.uk. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dft-payments-to-passenger-rail-operators-under-emergency-agreements).

(b) Officials continue to consider the financial implications and approach to risks arising from industrial action under the Passenger Service Contracts; no policy decisions have yet been made.