Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Future of Rail Services

20 December 2022 · 6 other contributors · 4,285 words

Opened by Stephen Hammond Con Wimbledon

Responding minister: Huw Merriman

Transport

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Stephen Hammond raised concerns about future of rail services in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The rail industry faced severe financial difficulties and a collapse in ridership due to the pandemic.
  • Prior to the pandemic, the rail industry encountered issues from overly prescriptive franchising practices and government interference, leading to inefficiencies.
  • The Williams review highlighted necessary changes but introduced concerns about the concept of Great British Railways, perceived as renationalisation with potential drawbacks.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to consider separating GBR's role as guiding mind from its infrastructure provider duties, introducing a spectrum of possibilities for train operating companies that includes revenue risk sharing and slot auctions, and ensuring greater competition in railway operations. Additionally, there should be a commitment to review the current arrangements after two years to adapt as needed.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Stephen Hammond Con Wimbledon

The rail industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, leading to a collapse in ridership and financial difficulties for train operating companies. Prior to the pandemic, issues arose from overly prescriptive franchising practices and excessive government interference, which stifled initiative and led to inefficiencies such as high levels of delays caused by Network Rail. The Williams review highlighted necessary changes but also introduced problematic elements like the concept of Great British Railways (GBR), perceived as a form of renationalisation with potential drawbacks. There is concern about insufficient emphasis on the benefits brought by private sector involvement and lack of incentives for operators to provide enhanced services.

Other contributors (6)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in rural communities and advocating for expansion of the rail network to tackle isolation. Asked about regional connectivity mentioned in the HLOS and highlighted the importance of local, regional, and national schemes for investment.

  • John Penrose

    Supports a slimline future system operator focused on customer priorities rather than technical aspects, advocating for decentralization of power to create a more flexible rail system.

  • Lisa Cameron

    The speaker raised concerns about the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in accessing rail services, ticketing offices and disabled toilet facilities. She asked the Minister to consider these inclusion issues in his future vision.

  • Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham

    Campaigns for the restoration of three trains between Cleethorpes and King's Cross, seeking assurance from the Minister on whether these services are likely to materialize next May.

  • Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

    The speaker highlighted that until the new year, there will be no services at all on non-strike days at 40 stations across South Western Railway's network. She asked what measures the Minister was taking to ensure service availability on these days and questioned how industrial relations can improve if passengers cannot access their destinations.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    Highlights the reopening of Okehampton railway station in Devon as an example of successful rural connectivity and asks about potential developments at Cullompton railway station.

Government Response

Huw Merriman

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. The Government remain committed to rail reform and ensuring high-quality services across the country. Keith Williams conducted a review leading to the publication of the plan for rail White Paper in 2021. Personnel changes have occurred since then, but reforms are being reviewed with concrete proposals expected shortly. Reforms aim to address industrial relations, performance issues, and financial challenges by involving the private sector to regrow passenger numbers. Ticket offices should be modernised with personnel assisting those with disabilities on platforms and trains. Industrial action must cease as it impacts service reliability. The Government will invest £360 million in reforming fares and ticketing, introducing tap-in/tap-out at additional stations and contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing at over 200 stations in the south-east. A new guiding mind is being considered to simplify accountability without nationalisation. Rail reform must have greater private sector involvement for innovation, quality focus, and taxpayer value return. Open access operators like Go-Op are supported, but entrance requirements may need reform. Legislation will be introduced when parliamentary timetable allows, with significant investment in ticketing and retail in the interim. The Government published a £44 billion funding settlement for control period 7, ensuring long-term commitment to safe, reliable rail services. Industrial action must end; unions and employers have been met by the Minister and Secretary of State. All parties are urged to work together positively.

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