Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what franchise payments have been received each year from (1) Virgin Rail Group, and (2) Stagecoach East Coast Mainline; and what franchise payments were planned in each year until 2023.

The current East Coast franchise operated by Virgin Trains East Coast commenced 1^st March 2015. An announcement of the expected premium over the duration of the contract was made at franchise award. All premiums due to date under the contract have been paid. Payments by franchised operators are published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) annually and can be found on their website.