Doing some research earlier, wiki reported payment/orders for the 810s were made before covid.
"In August 2019,
East Midlands Railway placed a £400 million order for 33 five-car bi-mode units, replacing its
Class 180 and
222 fleets on the MML.
[12][13][14][11][note 1] The order is being funded by
Rock Rail East Midlands.
[11] It was originally planned that the new trains would enter service before December 2022,
[16][17][18] but as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic the introduction was delayed into 2023.
[7] In February 2023 it was reported that Class 810s were expected to enter service in 2024.
[19] In March 2024 it was reported that the Class 810 is now planned to enter service in early 2025.
[1]"
The more I learn the more depressing it reads.