B4.4 | The Department for Transport is keeping the annual grant to LUL under review, but has limited levers over TfL

In February 2003, the Department set out its intentions to provide LUL with a grant of £1-1.1billion per year for the first 7½ years of the contracts, a rate set to allow LUL to build up a reserve provision of approximately £170 million by 2006-07 to manage financial pressure in any year. The level of grant is to be monitored regularly and re-evaluated each two yearly Spending Review (for the subsequent three year period), at 7½ year review, and in the event of the risk provision being used up. The Department are monitoring progress through examination of LUL's 4-weekly performance reports and face-to-face meetings with Transport for London, but recognise that they have only limited levers over LUL and its running of the PPPs:

  Annual determination of the grant to TfL

  Restrictions on TfL's ability to contract out certain services without Secretary of State approval

  Restrictions on disposal of operational land by the Mayor

  General liaison with the Mayor, TfL and LUL