Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of rail fare on commuters who rely on unregulated advance fares.

Advance fares are not regulated by the Government and are managed on a commercial basis by train operators. They are priced according to demand for a particular service and can provide savings for passengers who are able to commit to a specific train, although their price and availability vary by route, service and time of booking.

The Government recognises that affordability is vital. The Railways Bill sets out a new framework which includes a role for the Transport Secretary to ensure that fares are set to balance passenger affordability with taxpayer value. Through Great British Railways, the Government is taking steps to simplify fares and ticketing and deliver a more consistent offer across the network.