Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed renationalisation of passenger rail services under Great British Railways on (a) private sector (i) suppliers and (ii) manufacturers and (b) their role in the UK rail industry.

The Government will establish Great British Railways (GBR) as a new, publicly owned body to integrate track and train. In developing these proposals, the Department has been clear that the private sector will continue to play a vital role across the rail industry.

GBR will provide a single directing mind for the rail network and will continue to work closely with a wide range of suppliers and manufacturers. Rail reform is intended to provide greater certainty and clearer direction, which will support continued private sector investment and innovation in areas such as rolling stock, infrastructure and services. The supply chain will remain essential to maintaining and developing the railway, and the Department continues to engage extensively with the industry to support a thriving and competitive rail sector.