Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Clause 2.2 (Additional Reporting Periods) on page 16 of the First TransPennine Express Limited 2021 rail contract, whether the Secretary of State gave notice to the Operator of a reporting period extension by 23.59 on the 4th March 2023.

The Transpennine Express contract expires on 28 May 2023. No decision has yet been taken, all options remain on the table, and next steps will be announced in due course.