Study Notes

Should the UK rail industry be nationalised?

Last updated 5 Jan 2019

Should the UK rail network and the services that run on it be taken back fully into public ownership? Railway usage has surged in recent years and the system has creaked under the weight of years of under-investment. Passengers have faced steep increases in rail fares and 2018 was a deeply problematic year in terms of delays to routine services.

Suggested resources for research on the issue of rail nationalisation

This Tutor2u revision note looks at some arguments for and against rail nationalisation along with a video on the issue.

The UK government has launched a year-long review looking at all aspects of the UK rail industry.

This Parliament Research Briefing is excellent for background on rail passenger franchises in the UK. Here is a briefing on rail fares.

Comment article from the Independent: "Britain needs honesty about the hard choices for its rail network" (January 2019)

Should the UK renationalise the railways? (BBC news, February 2018)

Resources on rail from the Campaign for Better Transport

Industry regulator - Office of Rail and Road

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