Lords scrutinise Labour rail bill over fears of a state-run monopoly
Peers spent several hours debating Labour's Railways Bill, warning that giving Great British Railways control of tracks, trains and timetables could create a conflict of interest and squeeze out smaller operators.
Labour's Railways Bill resurfaced in the House of Lords, prompting a five-hour session in which peers dissected the proposal to hand all track, train and timetable control to Great British Railways (GBR). They argued that GBR would face a serious conflict of interest by both operating services and adjudicating access for rival open-access operators. The Lords rejected Conservative amendments and voiced concerns that the bill would abolish the concession system that currently allows private ownership of lines such as the Elizabeth Line.
Former Transport Secretary Lord Harper stressed the importance of fair access decisions on a congested network, while Lord Grayling warned that the legislation could enable larger players to dominate smaller competitors. The Office for Rail and Road would be reduced to a limited appeals body, and unions fear the move could empower a single employer to push for nationwide strikes and higher pay demands. Rail Minister Lord Hendy declined to comment on the future employment status of individual operators.
