Train Crew Shortages - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords am 11:28 am ar 5 Rhagfyr 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill Minister of State (Department for Transport) 11:28, 5 Rhagfyr 2024

I thank the noble Lord for his question. The lengthy disputes were damaging to passengers and to the railway’s revenue and sapped the morale of the staff—and, indeed, of the management. In particular, in relation to Northern, the number of disputes and the length of time for which they have taken place reflect the fact that no serious effort seems to have been made to resolve them in the time that the company was in the ownership of the last Government. The previous Secretary of State, the current Secretary of State and I are absolutely resolute that we have to resolve these issues. They are quite deep-seated, but as we are here today, the management and the trade unions are in discussion about how to do that, and we are strongly supporting them.