Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the statement in the letter dated 2 November 2021 from the Minister of State for Transport to the Transport Select Committee that the outputs of the investigations into the failure of London & South Eastern Railway Limited to declare over £25 million of taxpayer's money will be a relevant factor in respect of decisions on the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern contract due to expire on 1 April 2022, whether the LSER investigations will report before 1 April 2022; by what date he requires the outcomes of those investigations for them to be included as a relevant factor in respect of his decision on the TSGN contract; if he will make it his policy to bring the operation of the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise into public hands; and if he will make a statement.

The Independent Committee, formed by the Chairs of London and Southeastern Railway’s joint-owning groups, Go-Ahead and Keolis, has now provided the Department with its final report. The Department is carefully considering the contents of the final report and next steps are being worked through as a priority with key decisions expected to be confirmed shortly. The Department continues to progress discussions with Govia Thameslink Railway on a new National Rail Contract to operate Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise, but the outputs of the final report will help determine if it is appropriate to enter into this contract.