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<p>Prior to the re-launch of the Franchising Programme in spring 2013, the costs of
different franchising projects were not individually recorded. Figures from April
2013 are as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost
(£M)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>9.461</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15</p></td><td><p>8.544</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>14.620</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>12.652</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>These figures include adviser costs (financial, technical and legal advisers)
and VAT where applicable.</p><p> </p><p>The costs of procuring the current Intercity
East Coast franchise (awarded 2015) were not charged to the public purse and are not
included in the above figures (these costs were covered by the Performance Bond that
National Express put forward following its default of the previous East Coast contract).</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>Note that the sums invested in each re-franchising project are dwarfed
by the (Resource) Support for Passenger Rail Services benefits to the Department from
the re-franchising.</p>
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