Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Osborne Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab)]

5. What steps he is taking to reduce the cost of rail fares.

[Kate Osborne (Jarrow) (Lab)]

8. What steps he is taking to reduce the cost of rail fares.

[Mr Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

9. What steps he is taking to reduce the cost of rail fares.

--- Later in debate ---

[Kate Osborne]

Trade unions represent the hard-working staff on Northern who have had to take the brunt of passenger frustrations as the franchise has collapsed under Arriva Rail North. Will the Minister explain why, with Northern having been taken back into public ownership, the expert advisory panel established to guide the new service through its first 100 days excludes rail unions, the experience and expertise of which could ensure that passengers in the north finally get the rail service that they need and deserve?

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

It is a fair question. The answer is that Richard George, the head of the operator of last resort, is working closely with the unions and will continue to do so, because the workforce is all important to the delivery of a reliable service for passengers.