Considered in Committee

The Government, represented by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood, outlined their position on the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. They argued that the Bill would bring the railways back into public ownership, placing passengers at the heart of the system and ensuring value for money for taxpayers. The official opposition, represented by Dr Kieran Mullan, responded by expressing concerns about the rushed nature of the Bill's passage through Parliament, without the benefit of a full Bill Committee to allow for proper scrutiny and stakeholder input. He questioned the Government's claims about the performance of publicly-owned rail operators, noting that some of the best and worst performing operators were in the public and private sectors respectively. The opposition sought amendments to improve accountability, transparency and fairness in the new system, particularly around pay negotiations and the focus on passenger needs. The wide-ranging debate that followed saw many new Members make their maiden speeches, highlighting the unique characteristics and challenges of their constituencies. Discussions covered a variety of topics, including the role of open access operators, the impact on devolved and local authorities, the need for independent oversight and reporting on performance and costs, and the importance of considering the needs of passengers, rural communities and the wider rail network. Members from across the House expressed support for improving rail services and bringing them under public ownership, but there were differing views on the best way to achieve this. The Government defended their approach, arguing that existing safeguards and monitoring arrangements were sufficient, and that the Bill represented a measured, responsible transition. However, the opposition pressed for stronger accountability measures to be included, to ensure that the interests of passengers and taxpayers remained the priority. Despite the amendments being defeated, the debate highlighted the importance that all Members place on delivering a reliable, efficient and passenger-focused rail network, and the need to balance ideological goals with practical considerations and evidence-based policymaking.