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Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill - Clause 1

29 July 2024

Lead MP

Louise Haigh

Debate Type

Bill Debate

At a Glance

Louise Haigh raised concerns about passenger railway services (public ownership) bill - clause 1 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Louise Haigh

Opened the debate

The amendment seeks to bring rail passenger services into public ownership, overturning the privatisation initiated by the John Major Government. It aims to fix a broken system where taxpayers fund half of the railway income while profits go to shareholders. The Bill will ensure that when contracts expire or operators default, public ownership becomes the default option for delivering passenger services, making financial sense and saving tens of millions in private sector fees.

Alberto Costa Con

South Leicestershire

Asked the Minister to give a commitment that her decision on the Hinckley national rail freight interchange will not ride roughshod over local council views, expressing concern about the proposal’s impact and the existing number of rail freight interchanges nearby.

Mike Amesbury

Asked when Avanti West Coast would be returned to public ownership, supporting the initiative for improving services on South Western Railway.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Welcomed the Bill and urged prioritising disabled access at all railway stations. Highlighted issues faced by commuters with disabilities who rely on private taxis to reach wheelchair-friendly stations.

Ruth Cadbury Lab

Brentford and Isleworth

Congratulated the Minister and asked about improvements expected for South Western Railway passengers. Noted that TransPennine Express had become the most improved operator under public ownership.

Nadia Whittome Lab

Nottingham East

Welcomed the Bill and noted that since railways were privatised, tens of billions have been lost to dividends while ticket prices soared. Emphasised the need for passengers before profits.

Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op

York Central

Asked about circumstances in which current rail contracts could be extended under clause 2 of the Bill, highlighting the importance of bringing track and train together for safety.

Kim Johnson Lab

Liverpool Riverside

Welcomed prioritisation of the Bill but questioned about intentions to prevent outsourcing of railway workers.

Ben Maguire Lib Dem

North Cornwall

Asked for clarification on what benefits the Bill will bring to North Cornish towns without a station, highlighting the absence of mainline train services in Bude, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Launceston.

Mike Amesbury

Interjects during Helen Whately's speech to question her ideological position regarding the decision to award a nine-year extension to Avanti West Coast despite its poor record.

Ruth Cadbury Lab

Brentford and Isleworth

Intervenes during Mike Amesbury's interjection, referencing the historical efficiency of British Rail before privatisation. Questions what the ideological attacks on state-owned railways are based upon.

Andy McDonald Lab

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

Welcomes the Bill as a step towards restoring public ownership of the UK railway. He argues that privatisation has failed passengers and taxpayers by putting private profit before public service, leading to inefficient use of resources and fare increases while employee pay stagnates or decreases.

Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem

Bath

She supports nationalisation but has concerns about funding and fare increases. She notes that rail fares are among the highest in Europe, services are poor, and ticketing is inadequate. Hobhouse argues for immediate fare freezes and reform of the system to benefit passengers directly. She questions whether nationalisation will come at the expense of other public services like the NHS and schools, and raises concerns about rolling stock leasing companies' excess profits. She proposes a railway agency to guide reforms and ensure accountability in the rail network.

Josh Dean Lab

Hertford and Stortford

MP Josh Dean gave his maiden speech, focusing on the importance of protecting local communities, historic towns, and innovative businesses. He highlighted the railway issues faced by residents in Hertford and Stortford and advocated for a publicly owned rail system to improve services. Dean also emphasised the need for support systems such as youth clubs and schools that have helped young people like himself find their path in life.

Wendy Morton Con

Aldridge-Brownhills

She supports rail reform but criticises the current nationalisation proposal for its unclear benefits to passengers and potential negative impacts on service quality, affordability, and innovation. She questions whether ticket offices will be kept open or closed and seeks more clarity on train driver training and seven-day railway services under the new model.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South and South Bedfordshire

She interjected to remind Wendy Morton that her previous Government had proposed ticket office closures, suggesting a continuity in policy intentions regarding rail service infrastructure.

Paul Foster Lab

South Ribble

Paul Foster delivered his maiden speech expressing concern over the state of railway services in his constituency, particularly highlighting issues with Avanti West Coast. He emphasised his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents through local development and infrastructure projects. Additionally, he discussed various community issues such as support for a young epileptic patient requiring medical cannabis, road improvements, affordable housing developments, and inward investment opportunities.

Gideon Amos Lib Dem

Taunton and Wellington

The speaker delivered his maiden speech without taking a stance on any specific bill or amendment. He congratulated the Speaker, paid tribute to previous MPs, highlighted local cultural and economic institutions in Taunton and Wellington, and emphasised the importance of defending liberal democratic values.

Kevin Bonavia Lab

Stevenage

Supports the establishment of Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership, emphasising the importance for residents in Stevenage and surrounding villages to have an affordable, on-time, and accessible rail network. Advocates for the restoration of the Knebworth express and improving accessibility at Stevenage station.

Siân Berry Green

Brighton Pavilion

Supports public ownership of railways. Cites public support for the policy. Highlights negative impacts of privatisation such as high costs, poor service quality, and inefficiencies in Brighton and beyond. Raises concerns about exclusions from the Bill's scope, including regional services, freight operations, rolling stock companies, and devolution to local bodies.

Jonathan Pearce Lab

High Peak

Emphasises personal experience with job losses during privatisation, supports public ownership to deliver economic benefits, highlights excessive payouts to shareholders and poor service quality, argues for integrated transport solutions including a Mottram bypass and Great British Railways. He emphasises that this is crucial for High Peak’s economy.

Claire Young Lib Dem

Thornbury and Yate

Supports the need for rail services to be effective alternatives to car travel, highlights local station redevelopment needs in her constituency, advocates for extended funding for half-hourly services beyond 2026, emphasises the importance of affordable and green transport methods. She also notes the impact of bus service cuts on rural communities.

Gurinder Josan Lab

Smethwick

Ms. Josan does not directly address a specific amendment or clause but expresses support for the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, which aims to bring franchises into public control and establish Great British Railways. She highlights that this change is supported by voters who seek improvements in public services.

Olly Glover Lib Dem

Didcot and Wantage

Welcomes the Government's focus on transport, noting past issues with private sector management of railways. Acknowledges both positive and negative experiences in private versus public sectors, advocating for a balance that addresses current challenges like infrastructure reliability and overrunning engineering works. Emphasises the need to move beyond simplistic debates about state versus private ownership and focuses instead on customer service, fare simplification, integrated timetables, and overall railway vision.

Laurence Turner Lab

Birmingham Northfield

Turner supports the Transport Bill, praising its potential to improve value for taxpayers and passenger services. He reflects on historical attitudes towards transport policy in Parliament, noting past Conservative reluctance to address rail privatisation. Turner acknowledges his predecessor's contributions and expresses gratitude for colleagues' support during his campaign. His speech highlights local challenges such as economic decline post-Longbridge closure and current employment issues. He also emphasises the need for better funding of public services and special educational needs improvements.

Brian Mathew Lib Dem

Melksham and Devizes

Welcomed the debate on passenger railway services, mentioning his opposition to the Stonehenge tunnel scheme. Discussed water pollution threats and highlighted past MPs' contributions to the constituency. Raised concerns about NHS issues in Melksham and advocated for inter-party cooperation.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Expressed full support for the Bill, arguing that the privatised system has failed with high fares and unreliable services. Stressed the need to address environmental issues in railway reform and highlighted Luton station's poor condition as an example of infrastructure needs.

Graham Leadbitter SNP

Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey

Supports rail nationalisation as it led to improved punctuality, reliability, and fare reductions in Scotland. Highlights the success of removing peak fares across Scotland, a policy that originated from public ownership. Emphasises the need for addressing issues with rolling stock leasing companies and tackling tax avoidance by private firms. Advocates for increased public investment in rail infrastructure.

Apsana Begum Lab

Poplar and Limehouse

Congratulates the Bill's welcome approach to renationalising railways, aiming to address fare increases, poor service quality, and profit-driven practices under privatisation. Stresses the importance of sustainable funding, transparent costing, and public investment in rail services. Advocates for creating green jobs and ensuring accessibility for all rail users.

Matt Turmaine Lab

Watford

Turmaine introduces his constituency of Watford, highlighting its cultural diversity, demographic profile, and historical significance. He outlines challenges such as food bank usage and the need for hospital redevelopment while also praising local community organisations. He expresses optimism about the Labour Government’s potential to positively impact his community.

Grahame Morris Lab

Easington

Welcomes the Bill and supports public ownership of railways, arguing that it will prioritise passengers over private profits. He cites local issues in his constituency with overcrowded trains during peak times and emphasises the need for increased investment through reinvestment of previous shareholder dividends. Morris also highlights the excessive profits made by rolling stock companies and calls for reforms to procurement processes.

Adam Jogee Lab

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Adam Jogee, as a new MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, expressed his support for the Bill and emphasised its importance in addressing the north-south divide. He highlighted the rich history of his constituency, including industrial heritage and cultural significance. He also mentioned the need to protect green spaces while building more homes and stressed the necessity of robust rail infrastructure for economic growth. Jogee criticised previous Tory governments for failing working people and praised the current Labour Government's plan to deliver real change through the new deal for working people. He further discussed environmental issues, such as Walleys Quarry landfill, which he pledged to tackle with legal action.

Connor Naismith Lab

Crewe and Nantwich

Supports the Government's commitment to a publicly owned and passenger-focused railway. Mentions the historical significance of rail in his constituency, referencing Ada Nield Chew’s advocacy for employment rights and trade unionism. Emphasises the importance of improved transport infrastructure connecting the north and midlands with Crewe at its heart. Highlights local business community, cultural events, and environmental initiatives.

Anna Dixon Lab

Shipley

Congratulates the Deputy Speaker and colleagues, acknowledges her role as a Labour MP representing Shipley constituency. Emphasises the importance of public transport reforms to improve connectivity in rural areas. Highlights the need for better care services and support for carers, including reviewing the carer’s allowance.

Catherine Atkinson Lab

Derby North

The Bill is historic and significant for Derby, promising a rail renaissance. It supports private businesses working with public operators to modernise railways through long-term funding. The focus should be on developing new locomotive technologies and improving passenger services as outlined in Labour’s plan.

Paula Barker Lab

Liverpool Wavertree

Railway privatisation has failed, with franchises failing to deliver reliable service and public subsidies going to shareholders as dividends. The Bill aims to end the 'great train robbery' by bringing services into public ownership, starting with TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast.

Chris Webb Lab

Blackpool South

The privatisation model has failed Blackpool, leading to poor service reliability and cancellations while shareholders profit. The Bill will bring benefits by reducing dependency on cars, lowering emissions, increasing visitor numbers, and providing better connectivity for job opportunities.

Kieran Mullan Con

Bexhill and Battle

Mullan criticised Labour's approach to rail nationalisation, arguing that it is an ideological policy with no evidence of delivering better services for passengers or value for money for taxpayers. He highlighted several concerns including lack of specific targets in the impact assessment, uncertainty over the timetable for renationalisation, and potential union demands hampering technological innovation.

Laurence Turner Lab

Birmingham Northfield

Turner interjected to question Mullan on why fares increased under the previous Government at a rate higher than during Labour's tenure, implying that the current Government’s record on rail fares is less favourable.

Grahame Morris Lab

Easington

Morris challenged Mullan by suggesting that the presence of foreign-owned train operating companies indicates ideological dogma, questioning whether this prevented a profit-driven approach to the east coast main line franchise.

Simon Lightwood Lab Co-op

Wakefield and Rothwell

He congratulated the Deputy Speaker on their election, expressed appreciation for maiden speeches made, and acknowledged contributions from colleagues. He argued that public ownership of railways would save tens of millions in fees, improve reliability, simplify fare systems, integrate rail with other transport modes, and enhance accessibility. Lightwood emphasised the Government's commitment to passenger-focused reforms through two Bills, highlighted the role of a Passenger Standards Authority, and stressed the importance of freight on the railway system.

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