PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF RAIL

Early day motion 419, tabled 15 July 2013 by Ian Lavery (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House commends the public ownership of the East Coast rail franchise which has paid £602 million in premium payments since 2009; recognises this is £232 million more than National Express paid back during its tenure and over £209 million more than the amount paid in by Virgin/Stagecoach on the West Coast Mainline since 2009; notes that Europe's more unified publicly-owned railways cost less to run and provide cheaper fares; is aware of the recent report by the Centre for Research on Social-Cultural Change at the University of Manchester which found that private rail investment and innovation is minimal and that passenger increases have been due to economic growth not privatisation; is concerned rail privatisation is leading to ever higher fares and staff cuts; believes there is now overwhelming evidence that the interests of passengers, taxpayers, the economy and environment could be better served by a unified railway under public ownership, with fairer fares and proper staffing levels; and calls for early consideration of how this could be achieved along with the retention of the East Coast franchise under public ownership.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2, Green 1, Liberal Democrat 1.