Caledonian Sleeper Company nationalisation cost, plan and purpose: FOI release

Information requested

Regarding Ms Gilruth's statement that in six months the Scottish Government would nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper Company,

1. why?
2. who will manage the new Company/Organisation in state hands?
3. what are the costs a) to close the Serco contract b ) the annual cost of running it?
4. from what current Budget do these costs come?

Response

1

The Scottish Ministers have not announced an intention to nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper franchise. As announced to Parliament on 5 October 2022, Ministers rejected proposals from Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited to rebase the financial terms of its Franchise Agreement.

Following the terms of that Agreement the Ministers are obliged to serve a Franchise Termination notice, and have determined a Franchise Termination date of 25 June 2023.

2

The terms of any successor arrangement have yet to be determined; the Scottish Ministers have stated this will be updated to Parliament in due course.

3 

(a) The decision taken to close the existing franchise agreement was taken on value for money grounds, and therefore there will be no net cost to the Scottish Government.

(b) Link to financial statement – Transport Scotland Accounts

4

Any costs will be met from the existing budget lines for Rail Directorate, Transport Scotland.

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