Greater Anglia funding crisis: union says ‘renationalise’

Abellio has been forced to subsidise a second British franchise to meet premium payments, and one rail union says its contract should be terminated. Talks are underway with the Department for Transport after it emerged that Greater Anglia has needed support of £80 million over the past two years. GA has been paying additional premiums under a condition known as the ‘Central London Employment’ clause, which is part of its franchise contract. This is intended to reflect the job market, and to prevent operators drawing exceptional profits when times are good. In turn, they are compensated for falling demand.