Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date in 2021 the annual rise in rail fares is planned to come into effect.

The Government is considering plans for regulated rail fares and further details will be communicated soon. This year the industry, commuters and society are all facing unusual pressures due to the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Taxpayers have been very generous in their support to keep trains running throughout the pandemic, and it is only fair that passengers also contribute to maintaining and improving the services they use. Any fares rise will help fund crucial investment in maintaining railway services to enable social distancing and support our economic recovery.

These are unprecedented times and our immediate focus must be on ensuring that we keep the railway available and safe for those who need to rely upon it.