The King's Speech 2026 transport bill to establish Great British Railways and deliver passenger-focused rail reform.
Second Reading 16:14:00 Moved by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: That the Bill be now read a second time. Scottish and Welsh legislative consent sought . The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill) (Lab): My …
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes. Originated in the Commons.
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on introducing and designing GBR.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on funding GBR.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on making best use of the rail network.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on rail freight — operationalising the freight duty.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on accessibility — operationalising accessibility provisions.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on fares — operationalising fares provisions.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on devolved and local government — operationalising the devolution interface.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet on tickets and retail — operationalising the GBR retail code.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet: holding GBR to account — operationalising explainer.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet: Passenger Watchdog — operationalising explainer.
In response to: Railways Bill
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill factsheet: Long-Term Rail Strategy — operationalising explainer.
In response to: Railways Bill
First Reading 14:43:00 The Bill was brought from the Commons, read a first time and ordered to be printed.
Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee [Relevant documents: Eighth Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2024-26, Railways Bill, HC 1472, and the Government response, HC 1836.] New Clause 48 Tax consequences of transfer schemes “(1) …
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
Why linked: Filled the "Passenger charter and service standards documentation" gap via web research
A Private Member's Bill introduced in the 2024–26 session to establish a Rail Passengers' Charter, setting out specific guarantees and targets for passenger rail services and providing for penalties where the Charter is not complied with.
Why linked: Filled the "King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes on rail reform" gap via web research
The full PDF of the King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes from the Prime Minister's Office, containing dedicated section on the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill (p.75) setting out the rationale for establishing Great British Railways.
Why linked: British Transport Police is a responsible body for the thread; this CNI charter relates to critical infrastructure protection which may be relevant to rail industry transition and passenger safety frameworks
This document sets out telecoms companies’ approach to protect CNI during telecoms modernisations.
Why linked: King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes - foundational source document for the King's Speech that announced this bill
Read the briefing notes on the announcements made in the 2026 King’s Speech.
Why linked: The King's Speech 2026 and official briefing notes announce the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill as part of the government's legislative programme.
The King's Speech 2026 transport bill to establish Great British Railways and deliver passenger-focused rail reform.
Why linked: DfT guidance page (May 2026) tracking the GBR and public ownership programme — directly operationalises the Bill
Updates on the programme to transfer rail services into public ownership and establish GBR as the body responsible for passenger services and infrastructure.
Why linked: MoU between SoS and Welsh Ministers on applying the Bill in Wales — implementation document.
Sets out roles and responsibilities of the Department for Transport and the Welsh Government on how Great British Railways and Transport for Wales will collaborate on the running of the railway in Wales.
Why linked: Framework for MoU between SoS and Scottish Ministers on applying the Bill — implementation document.
Sets out plans for publication of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Scottish Ministers on how Great British Railways may deliver services in Scotland.
Why linked: DfT Railways Bill equalities impact assessment (24 March 2026).
This is the Department for Transport's equalities impact assessment of measures within the Railways Bill.
Why linked: Government response to ORR's independent review of train operator revenue protection practices (March 2026) — operationalises the SoS's 2025 acceptance of ORR recommendations on revenue protection under public ownership
Government's response to the Office of Rail and Road's independent review of train operator revenue protection practices.
Why linked: Cited by workspace synthesis
Accounting officer assessment summaries for the Department for Transport’s (DfT) programmes and projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
Second Reading [Relevant documents: Oral evidence taken before the Transport Committee on 26 November, on the Railways Bill, HC 1472 ; Written evidence to the Transport Committee, on the Railways Bill, reported to the House on 2 December, HC 1472 …
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
Why linked: Railway Byelaws Amendment Order 2025 — secondary legislation in the rail regime period the Bill is reshaping
This Order amends the Railway Byelaws which were made by the Strategic Rail Authority in 2005 under section 219 of and Schedule 20 to the Transport Act 2000.
Why linked: Filled the "Government rail strategy or rail reform policy documents that frame the Bill's objectives" gap via web research
The Department for Transport's response to the consultation on the Railways Bill.
Why linked: RPC opinion on Railways Bill impact assessment - directly relevant regulatory scrutiny
RPC opinion on Railways Bill impact assessment - directly relevant regulatory scrutiny
In response to: RPC opinion: Railways Bill impact assessment
Why linked: DfT's Accessible railways roadmap published the same day as Bill introduction — operationalises the disability-related duties in clauses 18 and 33-34.
Sets out actions government is taking to make railways more accessible, leading up to the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR).
Why linked: Cited by workspace synthesis
Provides more information about the Railways Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 5 November 2025.
Why linked: Filled the "Government rail strategy or rail reform policy documents that frame the Bill's objectives" gap via web research
Seeking views on proposals to reform Great Britain’s railways.
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
Why linked: ORR annual report and accounts 2024-25 - regulator performance and rail oversight
Office of Rail and Road annual report and resource accounts for the 2024 to 2025 period.
Why linked: Statutory instrument on franchising authorities under Transport Act 2000 s.123A; directly relevant to passenger rail franchising reform scope
These Regulations bring into effect paragraphs (b) to (g) of section 123A(4) of the Transport Act 2000, such that the types of authorities listed in those paragraphs are included within the meaning of “franchising authority” for the purposes of Part …
Why linked: ORR annual report 2023-24; Office of Rail and Road is responsible body for the thread and this provides regulatory context and performance data
Office of Rail and Road annual report and resource accounts for the 2023 to 2024 period.
Why linked: ORR Statement of Policy on Penalties under Transport Act 2000 Chapter 1; updates enforcement framework relevant to rail regulatory reform
This document is a statement of policy on penalties to support our enforcement work under the Transport Act 2000 (“TA00”) in the light of the changes introduced to the TA00 by section 10 of the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned …
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Transport Act 2000
This document is a response to the consultation on a draft Statement of Policy on Penalties under Chapter 1 of Transport Act 2000.
Why linked: Conservative Government's predecessor draft Rail Reform Bill (Feb 2024).
The draft Rail Reform Bill contains the primary legislative measures, which form a key part of delivering rail reform in Great Britain.
Why linked: Filled the "Consultation responses on rail franchising, regulation, or service standards" gap via web research
The Department for Transport (DfT) consulted between 9 June 2022 and 4 August 2022 seeking views on primary legislative changes required to effect rail reform as set out in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.
Why linked: Consultation on ORR penalties policy; provides regulatory context for enforcement framework under Transport Act 2000
This document consults on a draft statement of policy on penalties to support our enforcement work under the Transport Act 2000 (“TA00”) in the light of the changes introduced to the TA00 by section 10 of the Air Traffic Management …
Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Passenger Rail Services
A consultation on implementing minimum service levels for passenger rail services during periods of strike action.
Why linked: Filled the "Franchise and concession reform documentation" gap via web research
A DfT publication (October 2021) summarising the future passenger service contracts (PSCs) offer — the concession model intended to replace franchising — and what it means for the UK rail industry under the Williams-Shapps reform agenda.
Why linked: Transport Focus tailored review; Transport Focus is responsible body for the thread and this assesses its role in rail passenger advocacy
Report which sets out the findings and recommendations of the tailored review of Transport Focus, the non-departmental public body.
Why linked: Consultation outcome on rail passenger compensation following Which? super-complaint; establishes policy precedent for passenger protection reforms
Seeks views on the rail passenger compensation process following issues raised in a Which? super-complaint.