Great British Railways: Industrial Action

Lord Barber of Ainsdale Excerpts

Tuesday 18th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

The primary activity that needs to take place is good industrial relations, so that the instances of disputes that affect the train service are much reduced. A feature of good industrial relations is dialogue between the employees, their representatives and the employer, which is very much in the mind of the Government as we go forward with Great British Railways. In addition, as I have said to the House before, I want to see managers at route and train operating company level who can co-ordinate how the railway behaves and how it serves customers. By those means we will offer a better service and have less industrial action.

[Lord Barber of Ainsdale (Lab)]

My Lords, I welcome the focus that the Question from the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, has put on the negotiating arrangements in the railway sector. This was highlighted in the dispute that has been referred to before the general election, in which a point was reached where, after very intense and prolonged negotiations, a potential settlement had emerged that the negotiators were prepared to support from all sides. Unfortunately, that settlement was not approved because the Government Ministers decided to veto the possibility of that agreement being reached, bringing into serious concern the integrity of the whole process. Let me now turn—

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Lord Barber of Ainsdale (Lab)]

Let me now turn more directly to my question that arises from that. It is of course absolutely right—

[Noble Lords]

Question!

[Lord Barber of Ainsdale (Lab)]

May I ask the Minister whether he agrees that, yes indeed, careful attention needs to be paid to producing the right negotiating machinery as GBR takes shape? Can I also ask him—

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Lord Barber of Ainsdale (Lab)]

Does he agree that it would be better at the same time to reset relations with the workforce and the trade unions?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I agree with my noble friend, but I will add one point. The Government are responsible for the cost of the railways to the taxpayer and, because of that, Governments need to make clear before the commencement of negotiations what the envelope is for the employers to negotiate. It is most unhelpful for a Government to intervene part or nearly all of the way through.