Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the rail passenger service contract market engagement day on 4 November 2021, what discussions took place on the risks arising from industrial action; and what the outcomes of those discussions were.

As communicated to participants, information provided at the market engagement day was indicative in nature. No overall decision on the future solution, technical elements, funding or commercial approach to passenger service contracts has yet been agreed.

Officials from the Department communicated an emerging policy position that Operators will continue to be responsible for the management of relationships with staff and unions, and that the Department are considering the possibility of offering operators some conditional relief from performance penalties in the event of industrial action, provided that the relevant operator acts in a good and efficient manner.