Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his oral evidence before the Transport Select Committee, Q590 on 19 April 2023, what legal considerations are relevant that could prevent the Trans Pennine Express contract from expiring on 28 May 2023.

Any decision on the future operator of the TransPennine Express contract will be made in accordance with the Secretary of State’s published Section 26 Statement, which sets out the policy on the letting of passenger rail contracts.