Second Reading

The Government opened the debate by outlining their plans to bring rail passenger services into public ownership through the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, argued that privatisation has failed, with passengers facing unreliable services, high fares, and frequent cancellations. She stated that the Bill would fulfil a key manifesto commitment to put passengers at the heart of the railways, ending the fragmentation and waste of the privatised system. In response, the shadow Transport Secretary, Helen Whately, acknowledged the need for rail reform but criticised the Government's approach as ideologically driven, rather than focused on improving services for passengers. She questioned whether public ownership would actually lead to lower fares or better reliability, and argued that the private sector has delivered benefits such as increased investment and passenger numbers. The wide-ranging debate that followed saw many new MPs make their maiden speeches, highlighting the importance of rail connectivity for their local communities. Several members from both sides of the House agreed that the current system is not working for passengers, but there were differing views on whether public ownership was the right solution. Key topics discussed included the performance and future of specific train operators like Avanti West Coast, the role of open-access services, the need for investment in modernisation and green technology, and concerns about the impact on workers' terms and conditions. There were also calls for greater devolution and integration of rail services with other forms of transport. The Government defended their plans, arguing that public ownership would save money and allow a relentless focus on passengers, while the opposition warned against an ideological approach and urged the Government to focus on improving services rather than changing ownership. Ultimately, the Bill was approved at second reading, paving the way for further detailed scrutiny and debate as it progresses through Parliament.