Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) discussions and (b) other engagement his Department has had with train operating companies on the extension of Emergency Measures Agreements on rail franchises; and if he will make a statement.

The Emergency Measures Agreements provide franchise operators with a temporary suspension of their existing franchise agreement’s financial mechanisms for an initial period of 6 months, with options for further extension or earlier cancellation as agreed. Ministers and officials have regular engagement with rail franchisees and the wider rail industry, to inform the work underway within government to determine the most effective approach once this 6 month period ends.