Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the correspondence from the Minister of State for Transport to the hon. Member for Stockport of 11 January 2023, if he will make an estimate of the number of catering roles that have been reduced on the West Coast Mainline in the period since Avanti West Coast took over that franchise.

Based on the December 2022 headcount figures, there has been a reduction of approximately 150 in on-board managers who undertake catering duties since Avanti West Coast (AWC) first took over the Franchise. It is important to note that pre-COVID staffing levels aligned to the timetable and catering proposition operating at that time. During the pandemic, AWC operated reduced timetables and moved towards demand-based staffing on-board, with staff who retired or resigned not automatically replaced. There has also been an industry-led Voluntary Service Scheme which was available to catering staff who opted to leave. AWC monitor catering demand and fill vacancies as required.