Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what was the total remuneration paid to the Chair of Shadow Great British Railways during their tenure from October 2024 to March 2026; and what activities and responsibilities they undertook during that period.

From October 2024 to March 2026, the total cost, including travel and subsistence, was £102,600. This provided good value, including insights and challenge that led to more integrated regional leadership and action to improve the railway and passenger experience, providing a sound basis for Great British Railways.

The new Chair of Great British Railways will be paid £250,000 per annum. This salary reflects the size and complexity of GBR, bringing together workstreams currently split across more than 17 different organisations, including Network Rail, DFT Operator and the Train Operating Companies. This role will additionally replace the current NR and DFTO Chair roles in due course, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in salaries for the taxpayer by combining two posts.