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The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill) (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 20 November 2025

Debate

South Western Railway

Contribution

My Lords, South Western’s performance before and after public ownership has remained below the standards passengers deserve. We inherited from both the previous Government’s management and the previous owners a very serious driver shortage, and 84 out of 90 new trains sitting in sidings, unused but being paid for from the public purse, for several years. Since May, the number of new trains in service has quadrupled and many more drivers are being recruited. It will take time to fix the poor management of the past, but the new managing director and his team will do just that.

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