Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill

Railways Bill — Select Committee report: 4th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

Letter from Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill to Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee, responding to the Committee's letter on the Railways Bill

Letter from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill regarding the Railways Bill

Letter from Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State, Department for Transport on publication of four Common Frameworks, dated 23.2.26

Why linked: Letter from SoS for Transport on publication of four Common Frameworks, relevant to devolved aspects of the Bill.

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to lowering the minimum age to be a train driver, dated 10 February 2026

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on lowering the minimum age to be a train driver, an amendment area on the Bill.

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to transfer of train operating companies into public ownership, dated 30 January 2026

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on TOC transfer into public ownership (Feb 2026).

Direction: to_committee

The RNEP should not become an unfunded wishlist: there must be a high bar of viability for projects to be included, and a commensurately high bar for any subsequent decision to remove them from the pipeline. The inclusion and status of projects should be regularly reviewed by the Secretary of State, the Office of Rail and Road and, when established, Great British Railways and the Passenger Watchdog. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71)

Why linked: Committee finding on the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline — relevant to GBR's infrastructure-management functions.

The RNEP should not become an unfunded wishlist: there must be a high bar of viability for projects to be included, and a commensurately high bar for any subsequent decision to remove them from the pipeline. The inclusion and status …

While the Government insists that the intended relationship between clause 60 and clause 63 is clear, multiple stakeholders disagree. The Bill should be amended to make it clear that the capacity duty does not apply until after an infrastructure capacity plan has been developed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 72)

Why linked: Direct substantive scrutiny material on the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill itself, raising stakeholder concerns about specific clauses (60 and 63) that require amendment—core legislative scrutiny content.

While the Government insists that the intended relationship between clause 60 and clause 63 is clear, multiple stakeholders disagree. The Bill should be amended to make it clear that the capacity duty does not apply until after an infrastructure capacity …

The UK rail network is a core national asset, supporting its own industrial ecosystem and underpinning broader economic growth and employment. The message from the rail industry has been clear: investment in that asset has too often been characterised by cycles of ‘boom and bust’, with uneven and uncertain funding and procurement putting the viability of employers (including SMEs) at risk and delaying much-needed improvements to the network. The capacity of the railway to flourish under Great...

Why linked: Committee transcript fragment positioning rail as 'core national asset' supporting Bill scrutiny

The UK rail network is a core national asset, supporting its own industrial ecosystem and underpinning broader economic growth and employment. The message from the rail industry has been clear: investment in that asset has too often been characterised by …

We recommend that the Government commission an independent review of the beginning of Control Period 7 in comparison to the beginning of previous Control Periods. The review should also survey the volatility of spend within Control Periods, identify whether this is systemic, and consider whether they could be better managed to smooth the flow of work. It should seek early lessons from the new partnership model being pursued in the Southern region, and consider whether more certainty could be ...

Why linked: Transport Committee findings on Control Period 7 and GBR transition

We recommend that the Government commission an independent review of the beginning of Control Period 7 in comparison to the beginning of previous Control Periods. The review should also survey the volatility of spend within Control Periods, identify whether this …

The RNEP should also be a tool for promoting rail infrastructure investment from sources other than central government. We urge the Government to implement the findings of the Office of Rail and Road’s review of the Rail Network Investment Framework, and in the next iteration of the RNEP, identify projects where private sector investment would be welcome, or could be decisive. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71)

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry on RNEP and infrastructure investment alongside GBR

The RNEP should also be a tool for promoting rail infrastructure investment from sources other than central government. We urge the Government to implement the findings of the Office of Rail and Road’s review of the Rail Network Investment Framework, …

The Department should set out in the Long Term Rail Strategy a clear policy statement on its intention to limit the proliferation of rolling stock types. Within two years, the Department and Great British Railways should define a small number of standard train families for use across the national network, to achieve better value for money and an improved experience for passengers, including through more widespread level boarding. These should be deployed and refreshed over successive procurem...

Why linked: Transport Committee recommendation on rolling stock policy within GBR

The Department should set out in the Long Term Rail Strategy a clear policy statement on its intention to limit the proliferation of rolling stock types. Within two years, the Department and Great British Railways should define a small number …

The advent of Great British Railways provides a golden opportunity for decision-makers on the railway to approach investment planning differently. Successive governments must be prepared to commit to reaching a long-term consensus on which investments should be prioritised, and to following through on those decisions. While we accept the legitimacy of different political choices about how to allocate public resources, chopping and changing decisions on infrastructure investment is almost alwa...

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry findings on GBR establishment and industry fragmentation - directly on governance reform

The advent of Great British Railways provides a golden opportunity for decision-makers on the railway to approach investment planning differently. Successive governments must be prepared to commit to reaching a long-term consensus on which investments should be prioritised, and to …

The Long Term Rail Strategy guiding Great British Railways needs to have a timescale of at least 30 years to provide the necessary vision for underpinning shorter-term decisions on specific projects and funding. It also needs to be protected from unnecessary or radical changes of direction that would undermine its value. Significant amendments to the LTRS should require formal consultation with industry and with Parliament. We recommend that the Secretary of State be required to lay the Strat...

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry on Long Term Rail Strategy for GBR

The Long Term Rail Strategy guiding Great British Railways needs to have a timescale of at least 30 years to provide the necessary vision for underpinning shorter-term decisions on specific projects and funding. It also needs to be protected from …

We want Great British Railways to reach its potential for making unified decisions over track and train informed by expertise in railway systems. We expect political leaders to set its strategic direction and hold it accountable for delivery, but micromanagement would work against the best interests of passengers and industry. The Department must be clear about the level of autonomy it expects GBR to exercise in enhancements planning, and how ministerial oversight will be exercised in a way t...

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry on GBR unified decision-making between track and train

We want Great British Railways to reach its potential for making unified decisions over track and train informed by expertise in railway systems. We expect political leaders to set its strategic direction and hold it accountable for delivery, but micromanagement …

The Government intends that Great British Railways should be a responsible guiding mind: to achieve this, it requires independence and protection from political interference in its day-to-day operations. Clause 7 as currently drafted would permit a future Secretary of State, if so minded, to micromanage GBR through directions. The intention of the current Government that the power only be used sparingly could be reflected in the legislation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 20)

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry on GBR independence and governance structure

The Government intends that Great British Railways should be a responsible guiding mind: to achieve this, it requires independence and protection from political interference in its day-to-day operations. Clause 7 as currently drafted would permit a future Secretary of State, …

There are benefits to unified duties but the Bill is insufficiently clear on how they will operate in decision-making, in particular the weighting to be assigned to each factor. The Office of Rail and Road will enforce GBR’s business plan but is not bound by it. If the Government intends ORR to have regard to detail on how to balance duties that is contained in the business plan, it must put that detail into statutory guidance. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38)

Why linked: Transport Committee scrutiny of unified duties in the Bill

There are benefits to unified duties but the Bill is insufficiently clear on how they will operate in decision-making, in particular the weighting to be assigned to each factor. The Office of Rail and Road will enforce GBR’s business plan …

The reliance of the Passengers’ Council on the Office of Rail and Road to take enforcement action could add complexity and delay to an already complicated system for complaints, enforcement and remedies, and we are concerned that an opportunity to streamline these elements of the railway could be missed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 54)

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry on Passengers' Council enforcement and ORR coordination - passenger protection reform

The reliance of the Passengers’ Council on the Office of Rail and Road to take enforcement action could add complexity and delay to an already complicated system for complaints, enforcement and remedies, and we are concerned that an opportunity to …

The clause 18 duty on Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road and the Secretary of State, and the clause 36 duty on the Passengers’ Council, should be amended to require these bodies to exercise their functions in a way that improves accessibility of the rail network. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61)

Why linked: Direct parliamentary query referencing specific clauses 18 and 36 of the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill relating to duties on Great British Railways, ORR, and the Passengers' Council

The clause 18 duty on Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road and the Secretary of State, and the clause 36 duty on the Passengers’ Council, should be amended to require these bodies to exercise their functions in …

While the role of open access passenger services is a matter for debate, we note that it is the Government’s clear intention to promote greater freight use of the railway. The appeal mechanism for open access decisions set out in the Bill—applying judicial review principles—is overly narrow and jeopardises this aim. The Bill should be amended to give freight operators the ability to appeal access decisions to the Office of Rail and Road on additional grounds that reflect the outcomes the Gove...

Why linked: Transport Committee inquiry findings on open access and freight within GBR context

While the role of open access passenger services is a matter for debate, we note that it is the Government’s clear intention to promote greater freight use of the railway. The appeal mechanism for open access decisions set out in …

While we recognise the fledging status of the UK Infrastructure Pipeline, we are unconvinced of its current usefulness to stakeholders in the rail industry because of its lack of detail at the necessary scale. We ask the Department for Transport to set out how the UK Infrastructure Pipeline will relate to the RNEP, the purpose of each, and where industry should look for the latest and most detailed information. Wherever there are overlapping sources of information, care is needed to ensure th...

Why linked: Transport Committee observation on the UK Infrastructure Pipeline as it relates to rail.

While we recognise the fledging status of the UK Infrastructure Pipeline, we are unconvinced of its current usefulness to stakeholders in the rail industry because of its lack of detail at the necessary scale. We ask the Department for Transport …

We welcome the provision made in the Railways Bill for a Long Term Rail Strategy: it is long past time that such a vision is set out for the railways. The Strategy must provide a basis for consensus and certainty about long- term investment priorities. If it puts in place stable scaffolding for practical plans and pipelines, the LTRS has the potential to insulate those plans from unnecessary changes of direction or delay, to convey confidence to industry and to bring improvements to the netwo...

Why linked: Transport Committee welcome of the Long-Term Rail Strategy provisions.

We welcome the provision made in the Railways Bill for a Long Term Rail Strategy: it is long past time that such a vision is set out for the railways. The Strategy must provide a basis for consensus and certainty …

The Department for Transport has previously accepted the need to update and streamline the complex and confusing legal framework for transport accessibility. It would be unhelpful were the Railways Bill to add more complexity to this situation, especially if it did not meaningfully add to practical opportunities for enforcement action while doing so. (Conclusion, Paragraph 67)

Why linked: Transport Committee recommendation on transport accessibility law and the Railways Bill.

The Department for Transport has previously accepted the need to update and streamline the complex and confusing legal framework for transport accessibility. It would be unhelpful were the Railways Bill to add more complexity to this situation, especially if it …

We recognise the need for structural change on the railways. We support the main purpose of the Railways Bill: to establish Great British Railways as a single organisation overseeing both track and train, and capable of acting as a ‘directing mind’ for the railway. (Conclusion, Paragraph 3)

Why linked: Transport Committee statement on supporting the main purpose of the Bill.

We recognise the need for structural change on the railways. We support the main purpose of the Railways Bill: to establish Great British Railways as a single organisation overseeing both track and train, and capable of acting as a ‘directing …

Understandably, and as with previous railways legislation, the Railways Bill gives a partial picture of the framework for a new regime under Great British Railways. The Bill is designed to last a long time and is accompanied by various additional documentation. The unpublished documents are important not just for scrutiny, but for confidence throughout the industry. This inquiry has picked up on issues that may be addressed in future documentation, such as issues of accountability and enforce...

Why linked: Transport Committee observation on the Bill providing a partial picture of the GBR framework.

Understandably, and as with previous railways legislation, the Railways Bill gives a partial picture of the framework for a new regime under Great British Railways. The Bill is designed to last a long time and is accompanied by various additional …

Before the Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Commons the Department for Transport should publish a comprehensive list, with target dates, of decisions, key documents and planned consultations leading up to the establishment of Great British Railways and in its first year of operation. This should include milestones for consultation and negotiation with the affected workforce. (Recommendation, Paragraph 7) Our scrutiny of the Bill

Why linked: Transport Committee recommendation on publication of decisions/documents before Report stage.

Before the Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Commons the Department for Transport should publish a comprehensive list, with target dates, of decisions, key documents and planned consultations leading up to the establishment of Great British Railways and …

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to the appointment of the Chair of British Transport Police, dated 27 January 2026

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on the appointment of the Chair of British Transport Police, relevant to Bill provisions.

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to the Railways Bill, dated 21 January 2026

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail to Public Bill Committee on the Bill (Jan 2026).

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the appointment of Chair of Network Rail, dated 12 January 2026

Why linked: Letter from Secretary of State regarding Network Rail Chair appointment - governance implementation material for Great British Railways transition

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Welsh Government relating to the Railways Bill, dated 26 November 2025

Why linked: Letter from Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Transport on the Railways Bill (Nov 2025).

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Leader of the House relating to the passage and scrutiny of the Railways Bill, dated 11 November 2025

Why linked: Letter from Leader of the House on the passage and scrutiny of the Railways Bill.

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the introduction of the Railways Bill, dated 5 November 2025

Why linked: Letter from SoS for Transport on the introduction of the Railways Bill.

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Chair of the Committee to the Leader of the House relating to the Rail Reform Bill, dated 28 October 2025

Why linked: Letter from Committee Chair to Leader of the House relating to the Rail Reform Bill.

Direction: to_committee

The Government’s franchising reforms offer a clear opportunity to embed stronger and fairer employment practices across the sector. Better pay, fair progression, and stable conditions are not only essential for retaining drivers but are also critical to maintaining reliable and high-quality bus services. Without addressing these workforce issues, the wider goals of reform risk being undermined. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)

Why linked: Committee transcript fragment on the Government's franchising reforms and employment practices — directly relevant to Bill staff-transfer issues

The Government’s franchising reforms offer a clear opportunity to embed stronger and fairer employment practices across the sector. Better pay, fair progression, and stable conditions are not only essential for retaining drivers but are also critical to maintaining reliable and …

Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, dated 10 July 2025

Why linked: Letter from DfT re English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (July 2025) - contextually adjacent to rail devolution/structure reform implications for Great British Railways framework

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to Great British Railways, dated 18 July 2025

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on Great British Railways (July 2025).

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to Great British Railways and Railways Bill, dated 1 April 2025

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on Great British Railways and the Railways Bill (April 2025).

Direction: to_committee

As part of a new Inclusive Transport Strategy, the Government must set out concrete timescales for achieving independent accessibility across the rail network, and commit to setting out within 12 months a road map for how to meet those timescales. This road map must inform the rolling stock, station and network enhancements strategies of the Department and, when it is operational, Great British Railways. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)

Why linked: Committee finding on Inclusive Transport Strategy timescales for independent accessibility — relevant to the EIA and accessibility roadmap.

As part of a new Inclusive Transport Strategy, the Government must set out concrete timescales for achieving independent accessibility across the rail network, and commit to setting out within 12 months a road map for how to meet those timescales. …

Letter to the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to the rail reform consultation, dated 12 March 2025

Why linked: Letter to Minister for Rail on the rail reform consultation (March 2025).

Direction: from_committee

Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport relating to PAC’s 38th Report of Session 2023-2024, Rail reform: The rail transformation programme, 27 February 2025

Why linked: Letter from Permanent Secretary on PAC report on Rail Reform: rail transformation programme (March 2025).

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the launch of legislation to implement rail transformation

Why linked: Letter from Secretary of State for Transport on launch of legislation to implement rail transformation (February 2025) - foundational announcement of the railways reform bill programme

Direction: to_committee

Letter from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport relating to oral evidence session on 22 January 2025, dated 6 February 2025

Why linked: Letter from Minister for Rail on oral evidence session on rail reform (Feb 2025).

Direction: to_committee

Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Rail reform: The rail transformation programme - Oral evidence, dated 7 May 2024

Why linked: Correspondence from Permanent Secretary on rail reform: oral evidence (May 2024).

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Rail reform the rail transformation program, dated 7 May 2024

Why linked: Correspondence from Permanent Secretary on rail reform transformation programme (May 2024).

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Follow-up to the session of Monday 29 - Rail reform: the rail transformation programme, dated 7 May 2024

Why linked: Correspondence from Permanent Secretary on rail reform transformation programme (May 2024).

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Minister of State, Department for Transport relating to rail services and Infrastructure, dated 26 March 2024

Why linked: Correspondence from Minister of State for Transport on rail services and infrastructure (March 2024) — predecessor regime period

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the publication of draft Rail Reform Bill, dated 20 February 2024

Why linked: Correspondence from SoS Transport on publication of draft Rail Reform Bill (Feb 2024).

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Draft Rail Reform Bill pre-legislative scrutiny

Why linked: Correspondence from SoS Transport on Draft Rail Reform Bill pre-legislative scrutiny.

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Minister for Rail, Department for Transport, relating to rail services and infrastructure, dated 20 July 2023

Why linked: Minister for Rail correspondence on rail services and infrastructure (Jul 2023) – ongoing reform and passenger-facing policy development

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Chief Executive, Transport Focus, relating to minimum service levels for rail, dated 4 April 2023

Why linked: Transport Focus correspondence on minimum service levels for rail; directly relevant to passenger protections in scope

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Minister for Rail, relating to rail services and infrastructure, dated 7 March 2023

Why linked: Minister for Rail correspondence on rail services and infrastructure (Mar 2023) – relevant to rail reform agenda and passenger service aspects

Direction: unknown

Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to rail reform - the next steps, dated 10 February 2023

Why linked: Ministerial correspondence from Secretary of State for Transport on rail reform – the next steps (Feb 2023) – direct policy development document for Great British Railways and passenger reform

Direction: unknown

After our evidence session, on 20 May, the Department published its long-delayed Rail white paper, which outlines its “once-in-a-generation” reforms planned for the rail system, including replacing franchising and better integrating infrastructure with passenger services.25 The Department acknowledges that it must overcome a “complex and…deep-rooted set of issues” to improve the system, and that such a large reform programme will be fraught with risks.26 Despite this, the Department told us i...

Why linked: Department for Transport Rail White Paper (May 2021) outlining the foundational 'once-in-a-generation' rail reform policy that underpins the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill and Great British Railways establishment.

After our evidence session, on 20 May, the Department published its long-delayed Rail white paper, which outlines its “once-in-a-generation” reforms planned for the rail system, including replacing franchising and better integrating infrastructure with passenger services.25 The Department acknowledg