(29 Oct 2023, 8:24 am)busmanT wrote I suspect that GNE will be happy to have contracts removed, they certainly won't be able to run them profitably if they give a pay rise of 10% plus - Local Authorities only increase contract prices by CPI so all GNE's Nexus, Northumberland and Durham contracts will be less profitable (if not loss making).

With pay rates of at least £14.15 per hour I doubt they'll be winning many contracts in future either. 

I foresee GNE with a much smaller fleet, depot footprint and workforce come this time next year.

Are Gateshead Central Taxis not paying around £14 per hour, yet they seem to have a lot of contracts.