Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's News story of 19 September 2023 entitled Avanti West Coast awarded long-term contract after significant improvements for passengers, whether there was a (a) requirement to award and (b) formal tender process for that contract.

When considering its available options, the Department assessed these against the relevant criteria. Open competition was considered but was unviable due to time available and market conditions, and it would not have been possible to deliver a contract which represented value for money for the taxpayer. A direct award was considered the appropriate course of action. It is the Government’s intention to return to competition as soon as it is feasible to do so.