Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any restrictions are placed on train operating companies’ increasing director remuneration during periods of application of (a) Emergency Measures Agreements and (b) Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements.

Train operators subject to either an Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) or Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (ERMA) remain the employer of their respective employees and have ultimate responsibility for employee remuneration. However, under both the EMAs and ERMAs train operators are only reimbursed for employee remuneration costs that have been approved by the Department or would have been incurred by a ‘Good and Efficient Operator’.

It should be noted that any bonuses paid to staff, including directors, will be held back against any fees payable unless prior approval has been provided.