The King has announced legislation that will lead to the establishment of Great British Railways during his State Opening of Parliament.
His Majesty King Charles III addressed Parliament earlier today, setting out the legislative programme for the new Session of Parliament and outlining the new Government’s priorities for the coming year.
The King announced that the Government will indeed proceed with the long-anticipated launch of Great British Railways, which will see the UK’s private rail operators back into public ownership as their contracts expire.
He said: “My ministers will bring forward legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership.”
Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh, who was in attendance as MPs joined the King in the House of Lords, will now lead her department in the delivery of Labour’s long-touted vision for the rail industry.
First week as Transport Secretary ✅
— Louise Haigh (@LouHaigh) July 16, 2024
I’ve started work to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation:
💼Welcoming a new Ministerial team
🚝 Calling in the worst performing Train Operating Companies
🤝 Resetting industrial relations
🚌 Launching a bus revolution pic.twitter.com/0oxR3Ylspk
Ms Haigh had previously commented: “Labour will sweep away the broken model and bring private operators into public ownership as their contracts expire.
“We will establish Great British Railways, a single directing mind to control our railways in the passenger interest.”
“Neither the passenger nor the taxpayer can afford for things to continue like this – throwing good money after bad at a system that simply isn’t delivering.”
The Transport Secretary has already met with representatives of the worst performing Train Operating Companies as she seeks to lead an upturn in performance on the rail network.
Railway Industry Association Chief Executive Darren Caplan reacted to the King’s Speech, saying: “RIA and our members support the Government’s pledge to establish a reformed and unified railway system under Great British Railways focused on improving affordability, reliability and performance.
“A new body with strategic oversight and responsibility for rail can focus on meeting growing passenger demand and boosting industry revenues.”
Image and video credit: parliamentlive.tv