Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2025 to Question 76656 on Railways: Industrial Disputes, whether her Department has (a) had discussions with (i) TransPennine Express and (ii) CrossCountry on industrial action concerning new technology payments; and (b) made an assessment of trends in the level of remuneration arrangements for electronic ticket scanning across contracted train operating companies.

It is for a train operator, as employer, to negotiate terms and conditions that are fair to staff and affordable for taxpayers. Both CrossCountry and Transpennine Trains have kept officials informed on the progress of negotiations with the RMT.

I understand that CrossCountry and RMT have recently made progress on a number of issues in dispute including this one, leading to the suspension of industrial action on 18 October.