Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership)
Bill Amendments
Tomorrow (3rd Sept), Labour will rush through the Committee,
Report Stage and 3rd reading of the Passenger Railway Services
(Public Ownership) Bill.
- This Bill paves the way for Labour to nationalise train
operating companies in England, Scotland and Wales.
- It is separate from the wider plan to join up track and train
into a single public body – something that the Conservatives
introduced in Government and Labour are taking forward.
- It is highly unusual to rush a Bill like this through with
limited Parliamentary scrutiny.
- Worryingly, Labour have made no serious attempt to cost this
plan, and have put forward no evidence that this will improve
journeys for passengers. Their belief in the bill is entirely
ideological.
- Once in the public sector these operators will have no
incentive to innovate, grow revenue or control costs.
- Labour's own Transport Secretary has said that these plans
will not guarantee cheaper rail fares.
- And Rail Partners Chief Executive Andy Bagnall has said that
these plans would cost the taxpayer more money.
- It will also remove the barrier between Ministers and the
Unions when negotiating over pay, terms and conditions.
We are seeking to amend the Bill as follows:
- Prevent train operators from being nationalised until the
Government can demonstrate that passengers won't be negatively
impacted.
- Introduce transparent reporting and oversight for operators,
with targets linked to performance, financial management and
innovation. These targets will be linked to managerial pay.
- Maintain space for private providers on the network –
including open access operators, and devolved concessionary
models (like TfL).
- A full review of the impact of nationalising operating
companies after 5 years.
- Introduce an Independent Pay Review process for public sector
rail workers (similar to those in other sectors)
Shadow Transport Secretary MP, said:
“Everyone agrees that our rail system needs reform. But Labour
are rushing these huge changes through with none of the proper
scrutiny. They're treating our railway like a toy train set.
“Putting politicians in charge of the controls isn't the magical
solution they think it is. It just means passengers and taxpayers
footing the bill when they lose their grip on costs. That's why
we're proposing checks to hold ministers to account.
“Teachers, nurses, and our armed forces all have independent pay
bodies to take the politics out of pay. If Labour block one
for rail unions it's pretty clear where their loyalties lie.
It'll be back to beer and sandwiches at Number 10.”
is expected to say is her
speech tomorrow:
- I do not doubt that Members opposite sincerely believe in
their plan. But just because an ideological belief is deeply
held, that doesn't make it right.
- The Rt Hon Lady has made herself Passenger in Chief, and then
set off on a journey without knowing where the destination is.
- Public bodies marking their own homework is not something we
on this side of the House believe leads to good results.
- Passengers and taxpayers will now foot the bill for any loss
of control on costs. For any inefficiency or lack of innovation.
- How can it be a good idea for rail union bosses to sit around
the table with ministers negotiating pay without the assistance
of an independent pay review body? Especially ministers who from
time to time benefit from generous union donations.
- We have already seen with their Aslef deal, ministers
skilfully negotiate a bumper pay rise for train drivers with
nothing in return for passengers and taxpayers.
- You do not improve people's quality of life with inflationary
pay rises. You make it better by improving productivity.
- Why – if Labour truly believes that private providers are
simply syphoning off cash – can TfL still run a concessionary
(part-private) model?
- I know the Rt Hon Lady has promised everyone that she is
going to move fast and fix things. But it is much better to move
cautiously and fix things, than to move fast and break things.
