Third Reading

In the House of Commons debate, the Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, moved the Third Reading of the Bill, highlighting it as the first major piece of legislation under the new Labour government. Haigh emphasized the government's commitment to rebuilding Britain and returning to a politics of service, with the Bill fulfilling a central manifesto pledge to end the 30-year privatized experiment on the railways that had failed passengers, modernization, and the economy. The Secretary of State outlined the immediate benefits of bringing rail services back into public ownership, including driving up performance, removing the burden of private sector management fees, and using every tool available to improve standards, including terminating contracts early where necessary. Haigh also discussed the need for workforce reform as the government moves towards the creation of Great British Railways, which will provide national leadership, bring track and train together, and focus relentlessly on passengers and economic growth. In response, the Shadow Secretary of State, Helen Whatley, acknowledged the government's mandate to nationalize the railways but expressed concerns and a lack of reassurance. Whatley argued that the government had voted against a simple amendment to ensure public operators serve the needs of passengers, including in rural and underserved areas. She also criticized the government's "no strings, no modernization" pay deal with the ASLEF union and the rejection of the opposition's proposal for an independent pay review body. Whatley questioned the government's rationale for rushing the Bill through with limited scrutiny, suggesting it may be a distraction or a "bone" thrown to the government's backbenchers. She urged the government to reconsider the opposition's proposed amendments during the Bill's passage through the House of Lords, in order to protect passengers and taxpayers, even though the opposition accepts the government's mandate to deliver the nationalization. The debate touched on the importance of controlling costs, including workforce-related expenses, the need for passenger-focused reforms, and the broader vision for a modernized, reliable, and economically supportive rail industry under the new government's leadership.