Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister, responding to a report from the Public Accounts Committee, which found taxpayers could lose out because fewer companies are bidding to run train services, said:

“This damning report shows that rail franchising isn’t delivering for passengers. As the Public Accounts Committee rightly noted, the Government’s incompetent mishandling of electrification schemes is driving up costs, and there isn’t even serious competition for contracts‎.

‎"It’s now clearer than ever that the franchising system is broken, whereas East Coast under public ownership delivered record punctuality and satisfaction scores. Instead of persisting with a failed model that has left us with some of the highest fares in Europe, it’s time for a real alternative that would extend public ownership as franchises expire and put passengers first.”