Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, what plans she has to consult (a) Members of Parliament, (b) local authorities, (c) passenger representatives and (d) business representatives before the Greater Anglia franchise is transferred into public ownership in autumn 2025.

The Written Statement, HCWS281, outlined that Greater Anglia’s services will transfer into public ownership in autumn 2025 and that an expiry notice will be issued to Greater Anglia in due course to confirm the exact date. Bringing passenger services into public ownership was a clear manifesto commitment and the Department has no plans to consult on this.

Bringing these services into public ownership is an initial step towards wider rail reform, including establishing Great British Railways. The Department will set out proposals for these further, fundamental reforms in a consultation which will be launched around the turn of the year.