The Rail and HS2 Minister has called on Labour to work with them on the pre-legislative scrutiny for rail reform, something he is expecting to be coming “very soon”. Huw Merriman was speaking at the Railway Industry Association (RIA)’s Annual Parliamentary Reception and Rail Fellowship Programme (RFP) Awards.
He said: “In terms of rail reform there will be the pre-legislative scrutiny. What I would say to those Labour politicians in the room is please work with us on that. If we can demonstrate as a railway community that there is cross-party support for integrating track and train and having an arms length body that takes the decisions rather than the Department for Transport then we will be able to get that legislation slot that then puts it into law.
“It is only 10 clauses and it won’t take long to legislate. I think we’d all agree that we actually want that independent guiding mind and if we can demonstrate that through the scrutiny which I expect to be coming very soon, the bill to be published soon in order for that to start, then we’ll be onto a good place as far as that is concerned.”
The Rail and HS2 Minister was at the event to recognise the work of the sector describing the supply as “world class” and praising its efforts in improving the railways for passengers.
During his speech on the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion he addressed the Conservative’s decision to cancel the northern leg of HS2, saying: “We are building 140 miles of HS2 right now and in a few weeks time we will be celebrating when one of the tunnel boring machines will have completed 10 miles through the Chilterns. That is going on in 350 sites right now and that is being delivered. The 70 odd miles that is not being delivered, instead of delivering that particular project what we are doing is spending the money in the other parts of the country which we believe would benefit from having that investment. Quite frankly they wouldn’t have had that benefit if it had just gone to Manchester.
“We have a plan, this is the direction we are determined we are going to go on, we are determined to work with you in the private sector so you share those contracts and can deliver on them and I hope you will think, even if you don’t agree with the HS2 decision, that a government that still put in £32 billion of subsidy is a government that is still seriously committed about rail and for as long I am doing this job that is how it will remain.”
At the event on Tuesday, 12 prominent rail supply companies from across UK rail were recognised for hosting parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, to enable politicians to get a better understanding of the key issues and challenges in the sector. In 2023, politicians visited depots to look at train maintenance, gained insight into station development and were able to learn more about the role of data in railway performance.
Stephen Morgan, Shadow Minister of State for Rail, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Rail Fellowship programme this year and to thank RIA for running it. Quite rightly, Westminster is often accused of operating in a bubble, so programmes like these which allow politicians to visit state-of-the-art facilities and speak directly with rail professionals are vital in helping those in positions of power better understand how the industry works, how it impacts lives, and just how passionate and highly skilled people are that work in the sector.
“My biggest takeaway since becoming the Shadow Rail Minister in September is that there is such a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the sector and people who just want to help. They don’t care what political colour the government is, they just want what’s best for our country’s railway because they recognise the value of them to our country and to so many people.”
RIA is the voice of the UK rail supply community helping to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. It has 350 companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people.
Darren Caplan, RIA Chief Executive, said: “The Rail Fellowship Programme has been a crucial initiative run by the Railway Industry Association to bring to life the positive side of the railway industry and to help improve understanding of the rail supply chain among parliamentarians of all parties.
“Over 50 rail suppliers have now hosted visits since the programme’s inception in 2018, and it has significantly enhanced sector knowledge among politicians. Today’s event was a great opportunity to recognise the excellent work done by rail suppliers and highlight their role in boosting jobs, skills and prosperity across the UK.”
Photo credit: RIA
