Published information from the Department and the Office of Rail and Road on whole-system costs and revenues is not sufficient to inform proper oversight of the rail system, given the extent of taxpayer exposure. The arrangements for delivering rail services in England involve complex financial flows and contractual obligations between a range of private and public sector bodies. The lack of a complete set of public data makes it difficult for Parliament and taxpayers to understand the overal...

Published information from the Department and the Office of Rail and Road on whole-system costs and revenues is not sufficient to inform proper oversight of the rail system, given the extent of taxpayer exposure. The arrangements for delivering rail services in England involve complex financial flows and contractual obligations between a range of private and public sector bodies. The lack of a complete set of public data makes it difficult for Parliament and taxpayers to understand the overall financial position of the system, and the impact of government’s choices. In addition, the taxpayer has borne the brunt of the financial burden of supp Type: conclusion | Number: 3 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2021 3.2 The government will write to the Committee in December 2021. The government’s financial support for the railway has increased sharply since the start of th