UK Explained
Bills · In the Lords

Railways

The other House is now going through the same steps. If it makes changes, both Houses must agree the final wording.

In plain words

This bill would bring the railways into public ownership by creating Great British Railways, a new public body to manage the tracks, run train services and set fares. It would also give passengers' watchdog new powers.

Summary drafted by AI, checked by Jonathan on 4 Oct 2026. Source: Parliament Library briefing.

Official title: Railways Bill

  1. 1Introduced1st reading
  2. 2Main debate2nd reading
  3. 3Detailed checksCommittee
  4. 4ChangesReport stage
  5. 5Final vote3rd reading
  6. 6Other houseLords or Commons
  7. 7Becomes lawRoyal Assent

Next sitting: 12 Oct 2026 (committee stage in the Lords).

Put forward by Heidi Alexander, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill.

Votes so far

DateVoteCountResult
10 Jun 2026Railways: the final vote278 for, 149 againstAgreed
10 Jun 2026Railways: a proposed change155 for, 279 againstRejected
10 Jun 2026Railways: a proposed change167 for, 266 againstRejected
10 Jun 2026Railways: a proposed change77 for, 271 againstRejected
9 Dec 2025Railways: the first main vote329 for, 173 againstAgreed
9 Dec 2025Railways: an attempt to block it170 for, 332 againstRejected
Full timeline
DateStageHouse
5 Nov 20251st readingCommons
9 Dec 20252nd readingCommons
9 Dec 2025Programme motionCommons
9 Dec 2025Money resolutionCommons
9 Dec 2025Carry-over motionCommons
20 Jan 2026, 22 Jan 2026, 27 Jan 2026Committee stageCommons
14 May 2026Bill reintroducedCommons
9 Jun 2026Ways and Means resolutionCommons
10 Jun 2026Report stageCommons
10 Jun 20263rd readingCommons
11 Jun 20261st readingLords
7 Jul 20262nd readingLords
8 Sep 2026, 10 Sep 2026, 16 Sep 2026Committee stageLords

In the bill’s own words: A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.

Official page on Parliament’s site

Source: Parliament Bills API · Commons votes from the Commons Votes API.