Our Ref:         FOI-0860-2021

Thank you for your request received on 19 August 2020 asking for information bonus payments made to TfL staff.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. 

Performance awards are only made against stretching targets that will deliver better transport for Londoners. These include targets to improve the reliability, safety and accessibility of public transport and the environment and to massively reduce costs.
 
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we had made huge strides to improve our financial resilience. During the last four years we had made almost £1bn of savings across the organisation and had built up cash reserves of more than £2bn. As recently as March 2020, we were on track to reduce like-for-like operating deficit for the fourth consecutive year, with a firm plan to turn this into an operating surplus during 2022/23.
 
In light of the very significant financial challenges faced by the organisation as a result of the pandemic, and the ongoing discussions with Government about longer-term funding requirements, we took the decision to defer payout of all 2019/20 senior manager performance awards for 12 months. We also decided not to make any senior manager performance awards relating to the current financial year (2020/21). This will apply to all senior staff who are eligible for a TfL performance award.
 
We do not hold the information you have requested. At the time of writing performance awards for non-senior management staff have not been confirmed and so we do not yet hold any payment data for the 2019-20 financial year.

The impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.
 
Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]