The UK Parliament has approved legislation proposed by the Labour government to renationalise the country’s rail services, moving them back into public ownership under the management of ‘Great British Railways’. The bill allows rail operators to be nationalised upon the expiration of their private contracts or earlier in cases of mismanagement.

The move was hailed as a ‘landmark’ by the TSSA rail union after an attempt by opposition Conservatives to amend the legislation was narrowly defeated in the House of Lords by 213 votes to 210. TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust described the decision as a victory for public transport, emphasising that railways belong "in public hands as a vital service."

Labour, which returned to power in July after 14 years in opposition, campaigned on promises to overhaul the nation’s struggling transport services. The government confirmed it would not need to pay compensation to private rail operators, as current contracts will expire by 2027.

The privatisation of UK rail services began in the mid-1990s under then-Conservative Prime Minister John Major, though the rail network itself remained under public control via Network Rail. In recent years, four of England's 14 rail operators were temporarily brought under state control due to poor performance.

Scotland and Wales, where transport policies are managed by devolved administrations, already operate state-owned rail services.

British railways have faced significant challenges, including widespread strikes over pay and working conditions, persistent train cancellations, and passenger dissatisfaction with high ticket prices, all exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

(ET)