The Government has today [Wednesday 10 June] strengthened the
Railways Bill by enshrining public ownership of Great British
Railways (GBR) in legislation.
The amendment, introduced by the Government and passed during
report stage in the House of Commons this afternoon, requires
that GBR must be publicly owned. Any future attempt to privatise
the organisation would require a full Act of Parliament, placing
any such decision firmly in the hands of elected representatives
and protecting the railway from future privatisation.
Public ownership has been central to the Government's approach to
rail reform, and the amendment formalises this commitment in law
- ensuring reforms deliver lasting change for generations to
come.
The change will have no impact on GBR's ability to attract
private investment or work collaboratively with the private
sector.
The Railways Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and
will deliver the biggest reform to Britain's railways in 30
years. Following Third Reading this evening the Bill will move to
the House of Lords.
Responsible for coordinating the whole network - from track and
train to cost and revenue - GBR will deliver lasting change and
build a railway fit for Britain's future. GBR is expected to be
established in 2027, around 12 months after the Railways Bill
receives Royal Assent.
Ahead of the establishment of GBR, the Government's landmark rail
reforms are already delivering results. Half of
operators are now under public control and passengers
are starting to feel the benefits: publicly owned operators are
outperforming those still in private hands; South Western
Railway has released around 40 new Arterio trains
into service; and ticketing is getting simpler and cheaper, with
the expansion of pay-as-you-go, simplified fares introduced in
Greater Manchester, and passengers saving more of their
hard-earned cash thanks to the first rail fare freeze in 30
years.
Transport Secretary said:
"For too long, decisions on our railways were made for
private profit. This Government made a promise to change that, to
build a railway run for the public good not private gain.
"Today we strengthened that promise, futureproofing Great
British Railways to ensure it will always be in public
hands.
"GBR will be run by industry experts and publicly owned -
open to private investment with the flexibility to grow, but its
founding purpose will always be the same: to serve passengers,
not shareholders. Today takes us one step closer to delivering
this lasting change and a railway this country deserves."
