LNER - Losses and subsidy increase despite increase in passenger numbers

[Class 170101]

The final act was when the DfT confirmed an extension to the IEP order for LNER (IC225 replacement), not allowing them to consider other suppliers (Alstom/CAF).

I'm confused by this statement above

LNER are ordering 10x 10 car Class 897s from CAF to replace the 225s?

British Rail Class 897 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

British Rail Class 897

In October 2020, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) issued a tender for 10 electro-diesel multiple units to replace its remaining InterCity 225s.[5] In November 2023, LNER placed an order with CAF for ten ten-carriage sets to be built on its Civity platform. The first two will be built in Spain, the other eight at Newport.[6][7]

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

I believe that what is being referred to is the 2nd stage of the IEP order for East Coast, back in c.2015 or so. Government hesitated on grounds of cost, but the 2nd stage had been tendered for and contract prices obtained from Hitachi/Agility. One might have expected at least some nominal attempt would be made to get a price from Eversholt for further extension of some of the 225s, if only to show how much better value the IEPs would be (!). But it seems that this never happened....