Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to permit cross-subsidisation between Great British Railways' publicly funded operations and retail activities; and, if not, what measures will be put in place to prevent it.

The government is committed to a fair and open rail retail market, in which Great British Railways (GBR) will sell tickets alongside, and compete with, independent retailers. Moreover, the retail industry management functions currently performed by the Rail Delivery Group will move to GBR.

To ensure fairness when GBR takes on these functions, the government has announced a range of safeguards, including an industry code of practice. The code of practice will incorporate clear requirements for how GBR interacts with all market participants and impose separation of decision-making where relevant. It will be owned and managed by the ORR, and GBR’s licence will require compliance with it.

In carrying out its functions and duties, GBR will also be subject to relevant competition and subsidy control law.