Gibb Report published

Chris Gibb's report into Southern's performance has been published.

It's a chunky 163 pages so will take some reading.

However, some of the headline findings here:

• Industrial action is the main cause of problems
• Unions should accept ORR regulates safety and should work with GTR to modernise working practices
• Need for NR to establish a System Operator function (done)
• Need for two track timetable at night on BML to enable maintenance (done)
• Electrify Uckfield (see relevant appendix)
• Withdraw the 442s (done)
• Transfer East Croydon - Milton Keynes to TfL Overground, and Ashford - Hastings to SE franchise
• Sort out Thameslink 2018 train stabling, provide for future stabling to handle more trains
• Review Thameslink driver depot strategy
• Restart stalled station capacity schemes at Victoria, Gatwick and East Croydon
• Improve despatch at Victoria, London Bridge and Brighton
• Improve suicide prevention
• Implement Thameslink 2018 plan in small stages between Dec, 17 and Dec, 18
• Review off peak and small station service levels
• Align TOC and NR incentives and targets using joint delay repay
• Set up 2018 Thameslink industry readiness board (done)

Eye understands not much has been redacted from the final report (although Appendix 9 containing 'Recommendations regarding the GTR franchise agreement' is missing).

 

Gibb Report spiked - Official

This written response from Paul Maynard confirms what Eye predicted last week...

Caroline Lucas Green, Brighton, Pavilion: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 20 January 2017 to Question 60337 and 21 March 2017 to Question 67853, on what date he received the (a) advice and (b) set of recommendations developed from the advice from Chris Gibb; if he will publish all documents received from Chris Gibb in full before Parliament prorogues ahead of the 2017 General Election; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Maynard Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport): Chris Gibb’s findings were received by the Department on 30 December 2016. The Department will not be publishing Chris Gibb’s findings before Parliament prorogues however we intend to publish Chris Gibb’s report in full, with minor redactions to protect commercially sensitive material, and the Government’s response in due course.

So no, you can't see the Gibb Report before the election on account of the fact that it is probably too embarrassing for DfT.

General Election 2017 and Purdah

Currently we are in Purdah for the 4th May local elections.

If the PM secures her two thirds majority tomorrow for a General Election then Parliament will be dissolved on the 3rd of May.

Purdah for the General Election will begin on the 4th May (same day as the local elections) and run through to the 8th of June.

A reminder about Purdah...

From the House of Commons Library:

"The term ‘purdah’ is in use across central and local government to describe the period of time immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on the activity of civil servants are in place. The terms ‘pre-election period’ and ‘period of sensitivity’ are also used."

This means that we are unlikely to see the Gibb Report on Southern (or any other significant government announcements) until after the General Election.

This may suit one or two people in Marsham Street...

Local Government elections and Purdah

Purdah for the May local government elections starts on the 13th April.

From the House of Commons Library:

"The term ‘purdah’ is in use across central and local government to describe the period of time immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on the activity of civil servants are in place. The terms ‘pre-election period’ and ‘period of sensitivity’ are also used."

Therefore expect the 'Gibb Report' on Southern to be slipped out at the back-end of this week, or held over until after the 4th May.