Labour commits to bringing railways back into public ownership

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour is set to publish a “radical” transport plan which includes bringing the railways back into public ownership, the shadow transport secretary has confirmed. That means bringing our railways back into public ownership, where they have always belonged.” The shadow transport secretary said Labour would deliver a “simplified, unified rail network with passengers at the heart”. She added: “Achieving an affordable, accessible, integrated passenger focus will require a single, accountable, organising brain to break down barriers that have created cost and complexity.” Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier said Labour would act to prevent a repeat of the HS2 fiasco by creating a new cross-government unit to keep major infrastructure projects under control. Ms Haigh said she had commissioned the inquiry, which would be independent and ensure “lessons are learned” from HS2, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled the high speed line north of Birmingham last week.