Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Train Service Providers

Thursday 30 June 2022 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assessment states Great British Railways will incentivise improved services through new passenger service contracts.
  • The Office of Rail and Road will continue to act as the independent regulator for open-access providers.
  • The minister defends the government against criticism of transport chaos, asserting unions initiated industrial action as a last resort.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Penrose Con
Transport
Context

The question follows proposals in the Williams-Shapps plan for rail, which could impact train service providers.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposals in the Williams-Shapps plan for rail on the choice of train service providers available to rail passengers?

Answer from Wendy Morton

Great British Railways will incentivise improved services for rail users through new passenger service contracts, and there will be opportunities for new and innovative open access services where spare capacity exists.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact on choice of train service providers was not directly addressed

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Q2 John Penrose Con
Transport
Context

The Minister's vision for more rail choice is challenged by the weakening of competition under government plans.

Question

I share the Minister's attractive vision for more choice and variety on our railways; the trouble is that that is not what the Government's plans will introduce. They weaken competition, reduce choice and extend state central planning and control enormously. Anyone using Hull Trains, Lumo or Grand Central Rail can kiss them goodbye, because they will be the last of their kind.

Answer from Wendy Morton

Where there is spare capacity on the network, we will support applications from open-access providers who promise new and innovative services that benefit passengers without leading to significant costs for taxpayers. The Office of Rail and Road will maintain its role as the independent regulator for access.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the weakening of competition or reduction in choice directly.

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Q3 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Economy Transport
Context

The Minister is criticised for not preventing rail strikes despite organising meetings.

Question

This Government are presiding over complete transport chaos. We have had backlogs at the ports and airports, even though people cannot get passports, and our railways came to a grinding halt thanks to Tory-induced rail strikes. While millions of Brits suffer from Tory tax hikes, inflation and stagnant wages, rather than doing his job the Transport Secretary has been busy touring media studios to union-bash, pitting rail workers against the British public and washing his hands of all responsibility.

Answer from Wendy Morton

The unions took the step to go down the route of industrial action, which should be a last resort. The employers have the negotiations with the union, not for the Government. It is rich that the Opposition criticises without providing solutions.

Not addressed: Details about organising meetings and responsibilities were avoided

How: Redirecting Blame To Unions, Asserting Employer Responsibility Over Government

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