Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what agreement was reached on the liability for pension risk between the Department for Transport and Stagecoach when it was announced that the company had been awarded a direct award to run the East Midlands Trains franchise on 12 February 2019.

The East Midlands Direct Award is for a short period of time and is due to end on 11 August 2019. As in all other Franchise Agreements, the Franchisee (as the Designated Employer) is responsible for paying employer pension contributions required under the schedule of contributions applicable during their franchise term.