Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with South Western Railways on the potential impact of ticket office closures on rail staff deployed in ticket offices.

The Department has regular meetings with South Western Railways, as it does with all train operating companies, to discuss a wide range of topics, including how best to operate stations and serve passenger needs in the most efficient and effective way.

Together with industry we want to improve and modernise the passenger experience and moving staff out from behind the glass of ticket offices and into more visible and accessible roles around stations is a central part of this. Multiskilled staff will be on hand at all currently staffed stations, assisting those who need additional support or who cannot or do not want to use contactless or digital tickets, and helping passengers with their onward journey.

Train operating companies will discuss employment matters with trade unions as part of their own collective bargaining processes.