Member

The present position is unacceptable and leaves young people, particularly those between 14 and 16, unable to enjoy and benefit from the experience of working on a steam railway. The railways are thus unable to engage their enthusiasm at a crucial time in their development, and the opportunity to encourage enthusiastic recruits to the rail industry is being lost. Enactment of this amendment would be a boost for the heritage railway sector, which has had a difficult time since Covid, with many cost increases, particularly for coal needed for steam locomotives. It would increase the number of young people, which would enable them to be given opportunities that previous generations have enjoyed. I hope my noble friend the Minister will be able to offer some comfort that the Government are prepared to accept this. I beg to move.