Question reference: S5W-31845
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 16 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that allowing railway infrastructure contracting companies, including Babcock Rail, SPL Powerlines, AMCO and Story Plant, to work on the network risks making existing skilled infrastructure workers, including those who are working on contracts gained through the public procurement process, redundant, and what its position is on whether such redundancies would be compliant with its fair work principles.
Answer
Network Rail is classified as a reserved UK Government body, accountable to UK Ministers, and is responsible for managing the maintenance and renewal of its infrastructure and any enhancements works through its supply chain.
The Scottish Government encourages, but cannot direct Network Rail to comply with Fair Work policies.