Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the answer of 24 April 2026 to Question 127159, whether DfTO will provide financial or in-kind support to the Railway Benefit Fund at levels comparable to those previously provided by Train Operating Companies.

DfT Operator Limited (DFTO) manages passenger rail operations in public ownership on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is an independent charity and decisions relating to its fundraising and activities are for the charity and its trustees.

DFTO and the operators it manages recognise the valuable support the RBF provides to current and former railway employees and their families. However, DFTO does not have a standing commitment to provide financial or in-kind support to the RBF at levels comparable to those provided by private Train Operating Companies. Any support, including facilitation of fundraising activity, would be considered by the relevant operator in line with charity law, governance requirements, value for money and budget availability.

We do not anticipate that rail reform, including the establishment of Great British Railways, will have an adverse effect on the RBF.