Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many train operating companies are currently operating on UK rail routes; of those, how many are foreign-owned; and whether this proportion is of concern.

The Department for Transport (DfT) have franchise contracts with 15 of the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in the UK. Other TOCs operating on UK rail routes have contracts which are let by devolved or Local Authority bodies or are open access operators. All the 15 TOCs franchised by DfT are limited companies registered in the UK and as such will be liable for UK tax. Of those 15 companies, seven are ultimately owned by foreign entities; three are part owned by foreign entities and part owned by UK entities; and five are owned by UK entities. Franchises are let to a range of bidders based in a variety of different countries via fair and open competition with strict qualification criteria. Our franchising system as a whole has delivered great benefits to passengers, including new private investment totalling £6.4 billion over the last 11 years.