MPs hope to derail government plans

8th May 2012 12:14

UK law-makers have tabled a motion criticising the government's plans for the railway industry, blasting them a 'national disgrace' that will lead to a poorer service and higher costs. Over a hundred members of parliament (MPs) have signed up to the early day motion (EDM), which opposes suggestions put forward in the McNulty rail review, which revealed that UK railways cost 40% more to run than those in mainland Europe. John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, who is heading up the campaign, is claiming that the plans will "worsen passenger services through the loss of thousands of front line workers from trains, stations, ticket offices safety-critical infrastructure and operational roles". The EDM is calling on the government to operate the railways as a public service which has "affordable fares and proper staffing levels". Currently, spending plans will see rail prices rise three per cent above inflation in January 2013. Bob Crow, the General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, added: "The scandal of rail privatisation, which has bled billions in private profit out of our transport system for the last two decades, not only continues but is set to worsen under the plans laid out in the government's McNulty Rail Review."The backlash comes as TUC (Trade Union Congress) research revealed that, despite soaring ticket prices, there has been a significant decrease in the amount of money being invested in stations and infrastructure, from £845m to £376m, over the past five years. TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "MPs from across the political spectrum are voicing the concerns of thousands of their constituents who feel ripped off by private train operators who inflict heavy fare rises while cutting staff on trains and stations and keeping investment in decent facilities on trains and stations to a minimum." Rail Minister Theresa Villiers has defended the government's plans, however, saying they will "reduce the cost of running the railway by £3.5bn per annum by 2019". "If we can do this, we can reduce the burden on tax payers, and put an end to the era of above-inflation increases in average regulated fares. The plans place the passenger at the heart of everything the rail network is about."We want to see Britain's railways continue to prosper and we have made clear our commitment to them."To address crowding, cut journey times, and improve the passenger experience, we are funding thousands of new carriages across the country, electrifying swathes of the rail network, and redeveloping many of our great railway stations."NR