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Select committee: Transport Committee

Minimum service levels for rail

Closed Opened 9 Feb 2023 Closed 4 Dec 2023 1 recommendation 1 conclusion

Transport Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is currently working its way through Parliament. If passed, the Bill would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations setting out the minimum level of rail services required during industrial action. The Transport Committee plans to examine the process by which those service levels will be defined in practice, and the factors that will need to be taken into account, should the Bill become law. Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry .

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 9 February 2023.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail on 22 September 2023.

The government's response

Published 4 December 2023. The deadline was 22 November 2023.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says the Regulations currently before Parliament address all nine criteria the Committee recommended, and sets out its approach to minimum service levels (MSLs) for passenger rail.

  • On service levels, it expects them to "exceed the overall service levels provided on previous strike days", and says the three MSL categories include 40% of timetabled services for train operation and light rail.
  • On the Committee's suggestion that the department pilot MSLs, it states that the parent Act "does not include powers to undertake a pilot".
  • It expects the Regulations, "subject to Parliamentary approval", to "come into force before the end of the year", so employers can issue work notices "should they choose to do so".
  • On the Committee's three proposed success criteria, it "welcomes these suggested criteria and will carefully monitor the impact of MSLs".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Recommendations and conclusions

All 2 recommendations and conclusions

Reports

All reports

Evidence

  • 3 oral evidence sessionsLatest 24 May 2023
  • 12 witnesses
All evidence

Recent activity

Recommendations and conclusions 2 shown

2: Consult widely on the chosen minimum service level model and implementation plan for rail.

Recommendation · Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail · Addressed to Department for Transport

Recommended (the committee's words)
At present, the lack of detail from the Department about what a minimum service level specification might look like is preventing stakeholders from being able to assess how it will affect them or those they represent. Once the Department has determined which model of minimum service level it plans to implement through regulations, it must consult on it. The Department should set out an implementation plan and consult with a wide group of stakeholders including unions, passengers and operators. The Department should also consider ways in which a set minimum service level for rail could be piloted.

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3: Utilise specific criteria to measure the success of minimum service levels for rail, including passenger satisfaction.

Conclusion · Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail · Addressed to Department for Transport

Concluded (the committee's words)
Looking to the future, the following criteria should be used by the Department to assess the success of a minimum service level for rail (Paragraph 74): 30 Minimum service levels for rail j) Industrial disputes have neither been prolonged nor increased. Novel industrial action has not proliferated; k) Passenger satisfaction on strike days is greater than at present. Passengers have access to clearly communicated information in relation to service operation, and greater certainty, further in advance than at present, about travel on strike days. l) Long term, there is more effective cooperation and better working relationships between rail unions, the industry and government.

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Reports

1 report

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
24 May 2023
Oral evidence session
Ben Smith · Department for Transport, Huw Merriman · Department for Transport, Jake Kelly · Network Rail, John Larkinson · Office of Rail and Road 		View ↗
26 Apr 2023
Oral evidence session
Jamie Burles · Abellio Greater Anglia, Mick Lynch · National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT), Mick Whelan · ASLEF, Rob Jenks · TSSA, Tom Joyner · Cross Country Trains 		View ↗
22 Mar 2023
Oral evidence session
Anthony Smith · Transport Focus, Kate Nicholls OBE · UKHospitality, Phil Smart · Rail Freight Group 		View ↗

Who gave evidence

12 witnesses

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WitnessOrganisationSessions
Anthony Smith · Chief Executive Transport Focus 1
Ben Smith · Director of Industrial Action Department for Transport 1
Huw Merriman · Minister of State for Rail Department for Transport 1
Jake Kelly · Group Director for System Operator Network Rail 1
Jamie Burles · Managing Director Abellio Greater Anglia 1
John Larkinson · CEO Office of Rail and Road 1
Kate Nicholls OBE · Chief Executive UKHospitality 1
Mick Lynch · General Secretary National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) 1
Mick Whelan · General Secretary ASLEF 1
Phil Smart · Assistant Policy Manager Rail Freight Group 1
Rob Jenks · Policy Officer TSSA 1
Tom Joyner · Managing Director Cross Country Trains 1