Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
The government has announced the companies in the running for the new West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail franchise and the next South Eastern franchise.
he Department for Transport (DfT) said First Trenitalia West Coast, MTR West Coast Partnership and West Coast Partnership had all been shortlisted for the franchise, which will design and run the HS2 high speed services between London and Birmingham from 2026.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the West Coast Partnership would help to ‘ensure that HS2 becomes the backbone of Britain's railways’.
Ambitions for the franchise include: creating more space for passengers on modern comfortable trains; increasing the reliability of trains by using the latest technology while reducing delays by encouraging the operator to work closely with Network Rail; improving passenger compensation arrangements and supporting smart ticketing; and improving customer service, with staff able to respond quickly and effectively, including during disruption.
Grayling said: “The West Coast Partnership will support growth and better services on the West Coast Main Line while helping to ensure that HS2 becomes the backbone of Britain’s railways. This will create more seats for passengers, improve connections between our great cities, free up space on existing rail lines and generate jobs and economic growth throughout the country. I look forward to seeing the bidders’ innovative ideas to put passengers at the heart of the railway.
“South Eastern is one of the busiest franchises in the UK, running almost 2,000 services every weekday. We want passengers to be at the heart of everything that the new operator does, enjoying modern, spacious trains on a more punctual and reliable service. We will listen to what passengers say in the current public consultation, and we will seek to make changes and improvements only with their support.
Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Join the digital, data and technology community at DigiGov Expo – where public sector experts and innovators gain knowledge to transform government services.
The Workplace Event 2024
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting workplace cultures, and an increased focus on employee well-being, The Workplace Event (TWE) 2024 emerges as a beacon of insight, innovation, and inspiration. Taking place from April 30 - May 2 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, TWE brings together over 5,000 workplace and facilities management professionals.
Neat Bins, Part of Neat Seats Ltd is a company that specialises in cleaning all your wheeled bins
Let us show you the way…….
Scotland is a captivating destination that offers ideal settings for corporate meetings and events, incentive trips, and association conferences. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class facilities, Scotland has everything you need to ensure your event is memorable and successful.
Robyn Quick investigates how funding from the cancelled part of HS2 is being reallocated to road maintenance across the country.