PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Railways: Staff (2 September 2024)

Our railways are broken and need change, but we simply cannot do this until we reset our relationships with unions. The breakthroughs on pay will mark a new era of industrial relations, getting unions and TOCs back around the table, and changing the tone of discussions.

The Department has been clear that in return for a fair pay settlement, this reset in relationships will enable a more collaborative approach on tackling long-standing issues that undermine productivity and reliability on the railways. This includes agreement to work together to address industry-wide matters that will improve the operational resilience of the railway, e.g. development of a new industry driver training competency framework and creation of a new joint advisory committee on new rolling stock procurement relating to cab design.