This is yet another Tory handout to private shareholders at the public’s expense - Andy McDonald

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to Chris Grayling’s statement in the House of Commons, said:

“That Chris Grayling awarded a profitable contract to Virgin and Stagecoach on the West Coast while simultaneously confirming the same companies have collapsed on the East Coast shows Government policy is in chaos.

“This is yet another Tory handout to private shareholders at the public’s expense. Failing train companies should not be awarded future contracts, but this Government is rewarding them for failure by extending their lucrative deal.

“The Transport Secretary’s failure to stand up to Virgin and Stagecoach is a disgrace. He’s supposed to protect taxpayers’ interests, not sacrifice them to private shareholders.

“The system is broken which is why Labour will act in the public interest by taking our railways back into public ownership.”