Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Avanti about that company's plans to reduce services between London, Birmingham, Manchester and North Wales from December; whether they were aware of those reductions when they awarded the company a new nine year contract for the franchise; and if they were, whether they required Avanti to make those service reductions as part of the contract.

Planned timetable reductions, between 10 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, were agreed in accordance with the requirements set out in Avanti’s contract. These temporary changes are necessary to ensure that Avanti can provide a more reliable service for its passengers and to minimise unplanned, short-notice cancellations. It is expected that service levels will be fully restored in the new year.