Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2026 to Question 7116, what proportion of cancellations on (a) Thameslink and (b) Great Northern services in the latest 12-month period were attributable to driver shortages.

There has been a 40 per cent reduction in traincrew-related cancellations across Thameslink and Great Northern in FY 2025/26 compared with FY2024/25. This is partly as a result of a sustained driver recruitment campaign, which is supporting improved reliability.

GTR inform us that for the period between 25 May 2025 and 30 May 2026, traincrew-related issues accounted for 20 per cent of cancellations on Great Northern services and 33 per cent on Thameslink services, showing more work is needed to maintain momentum in this area.

Addressing cancellations caused by traincrew on Greater Thameslink Railway services is a priority for the Department for Transport Operator going forward.