Lords Grand Committee

10 septembre 2026

Peers debate Clause 5 and related amendments on whether GBR must, rather than may, form local commissioning partnerships, and whether statutory engagement should cover all strategic authorities not just mayoral combined authorities. The group tests the Bill’s devolution model, the status of non‑mayoral areas and TfL, ministerial assurances on consultation, and concludes with withdrawal of the lead amendments and agreement that Clauses 5 and 6 stand part.

Lords Grand Committee

00:02 - 00:23

Intervenant 4

My Lords, if there is a division in the chamber while we're sitting, this committee will adjourn as soon as division bells are rung and resume after 10 minutes. Grand Committee on the Railways Bill, in clause 5, amendment 22A, Lord Blunkett.

00:23 - 03:01

Intervenant 5

My Lords, the noble Lord Blunkett had hoped to be here today, but he's found himself with other commitments and therefore he asked if I would move his amendment 22A, as it's one that I also support. I think that this amendment really is a probing amendment, whether the provision in the bill which enables Great British Railways to enter into partnerships with mayors, and we'll debate whether it should be mayors or others later, could be strengthened. And I would be really keen to hear what the minister has to say on that. The bill sets out this sort of partnership structure which enables collaborative working, local funding commissioning and other benefits. But this wording change from may to must really strengthens that requirement for a partnership with mayors.

So I hope the minister will agree that Great British Railways must treat mayors and others we'll come onto as genuine partners, and I hope the government will consider this amendment seriously. I could take this opportunity to also talk to other amendments in this group. And I think it really is a very important group, not just because my background like many noble Lords is in local and regional government. You know, I'm very aware that for example Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for London and others have been concerned about the bill as drafted because it doesn't treat them as real partners at the table. It felt like a consultation tick-box exercise rather than genuine equal partners.

And just to remind noble Lords, the noble Lord the minister said at report stage of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill on the 6th of November 2024, in responding to my amendment on rail devolution, and I quote: "I can reaffirm to your Lordships' House that the Railways Bill will include a statutory role for devolved governments and mayoral combined authorities. They will be involved in governing, managing, planning and developing the railways." And yet I believe, and I think others here, hence all the amendments, feel the bill as currently drafted does not provide the statutory powers mayoral strategic authorities and others require. Now since we have started of course on this bill through Parliament, we've seen a new Prime Minister, one who is committed to devolution to mayoral and strategic authorities. So I'm really hoping that some things will change.

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