Despite overwhelming Government support for the trade unions and unfunded payrises for public sector employees, British commuters are still paying sky-high rail fares.
Instead of answering the question with a plan, the Secretary of State for Transport defaulted on blaming the last government. The people of Romford deserve answers.
The British people pay some of the highest rail fares in Europe. However, the Government seem to prioritise the size of the socialist state, by kowtowing to trade unions with radical public pay rises and nationalisation plans. Will the Secretary of State instead please focus on improving the lot of commuters—particularly Romford’s hard-working commuters—and take real steps to reduce rail fares and improve railway services?
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford
I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has the gall to raise this issue when, under his party’s Government, fares rose at around twice the speed of wages. I also point out that since 2020, train operating companies have paid out nearly £1 billion to their parent companies, signed off by Conservative Ministers in the previous Government. If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about costs and value for money on the railway, I suggest he start by looking in the mirror.
The Rt Hon. Heidi Alexander M.P., Secretary of State for Transport
