Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Industry: Competition

Thursday 17 March 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government working with private sector to restore competition through passenger services contracts
  • UK Government supports growth of international rail services post-COVID
  • GBR will facilitate trials and roll out of rail innovations and data exploitation

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damian Collins Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question stems from the context of restoring competitive market dynamics within British rail services, particularly after the creation of Great British Railways.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to encourage competition in the rail industry?

Answer from Wendy Morton

As we create Great British Railways, we will work with the private sector to deliver for customers and taxpayers and restore competition through passenger services contracts as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide timeline or specific details on how competition would be restored through passenger service contracts

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Q2 Damian Collins Con
Transport
Context

The inquiry is about the possibility of expanding international rail services, particularly mentioning German and Spanish companies interested in running alternative routes through Eurotunnel post-COVID.

Question

As international rail travel opens up post the COVID pandemic, what can be done to encourage other companies from Germany and Spain that have expressed interest in running alternative services through the tunnel?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The UK Government would support the growth of international rail services given the significant benefits they could provide for the UK. We stand ready to engage with partners to facilitate new routes where there is a commercial proposition to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or timeline for engaging with foreign companies

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Transport
Context

The query is about fostering collaboration within the rail industry, particularly mentioning York's role as a hub for high-end engineering.

Question

What is being done to invest in rail clusters similar to those supported by other government departments?

Answer from Wendy Morton

There are new opportunities to trial and roll out innovations more rapidly with better management and exploitation of data. Central to that will be GBR's role in facilitating these processes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify investment or policy initiatives for rail clusters

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Q4 Huw Merriman Con
Employment Transport
Context

The question addresses the financial transition from a competitive franchise system to Government funding of £15 billion annually.

Question

Given the shift from rail profits to government subsidies, what are the plans for workplace reforms to ensure long-term financial sustainability?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The Williams-Shapps plan for rail sets out sector-wide reform. The railway must be financially and operationally sustainable for the future so that it delivers the service passengers want.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on reforms or commitment to implementation

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