Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy that the (a) Department or (b) rail franchise operator announces (i) extensions, (ii) direct awards and (iii) other changes to franchise agreements.
The department publishes the signed Franchise Agreement/signed Deed of Amendment for a Direct Award (once the DFT and the TOC agree any redactions to ensure commercial confidentiality) on the Rail Public Register.
Private businesses fulfil their legal requirement to make commercial announcements in line with their market obligations.