Railway industry in Scotland disappointed at further delay in CP7 funding settlement publication, and urges prompt announcement

27 January 2023

The Scottish railway industry has today expressed disappointment that there has been another delay in the Scottish Government publishing details of the future funding of railway infrastructure in Scotland.

Initial publication of the Control Period 7 High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA), for the period – between April 2024 and March 2029 – was due in November 2022, with the revised publication date due today, Friday 27 January.

RIA Scotland, representing rail suppliers operating in Scotland, need to see publication of the High Level Output Specification, the Statement of Funds Available, and the Strategic Business Plans for CP7 to give suppliers the clarity they require to enable them plan their businesses in the months and years ahead, and to ensure they can deliver the best value-for-money possible when conducting rail work. 

Commenting, RIA Scotland Chair, Meirion Thomas, said: "Whilst we understand current budget pressures, it is disappointing for rail suppliers in Scotland that the CP7 High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) has not been published today as expected. It really is important for rail businesses that more detail on the funding and objectives for 2024-29 is published so they can plan their businesses for the work ahead. So we urge the Scottish Government to make this information available as soon as possible.

“Rail is the backbone of the zero-carbon economy, and we must continue to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure to ensure it serves people and communities across Scotland. We therefore ask that the High-Level Output Specification will be ambitious and, for our part, rail suppliers will work closely with Scotland's Railway to be more innovative about how we deliver, ultimately to ensure the best value for money possible to the taxpayer.” 

1. About RIA Scotland: RIA Scotland is the voice of the Scottish rail supply community, representing RIA members across the nation. Rail in Scotland supports £3.1bn in economic growth (GVA), 56,000 jobs and £1bn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in delivering the Scottish Government's economic growth and decarbonisation agendas. www.riagb.org.uk/scotland  

2. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk