RMT Strikes: Impact on Businesses

Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Lord Barber of Ainsdale

Tuesday 28th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Barber of Ainsdale (Lab)]

I, too, thank the Minister for her reply to this Question. I have spent a lot of time in my working life trying to help resolve disputes; in my experience, there are often faults on both sides when disputes arise, but I particularly recognise the impact for businesses and the public when transport disputes arise. Does the Minister agree that, yes, improving industrial relations needs to remain a key objective in that sector, but that in particular a key challenge in developing Great British Railways will be to establish with the relevant unions the right new bargaining structures for the future?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

In answering, I thank my noble friend for all the work he has done in this area; he probably understands more than anyone just how important it is to bring parties together. He raises absolutely critical points. We have to bring benefit from collaboration, and I think we have the right building blocks in place to make sure there is the respect due between different parties to make sure that we can move forward positively.