Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 December 2025 · HC 1472

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Welsh Government relating to the Railways Bill, dated 26 November 2025

Summary

Ken Skates, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, writes to the Transport Committee to express Welsh Government support for the UK Railways Bill and its collaborative approach to rail reform. The letter outlines the Welsh Government's commitment to the Bill's principles, emphasising the importance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to codify governance arrangements, funding, and joint planning between Welsh and UK governments. It includes detailed Heads of Terms for the forthcoming MoU, expected in Spring 2026, covering shared objectives, track-and-train integration, the GBR Wales and Borders Business Unit, cross-border services, and enhanced governance roles for Welsh Ministers.

Key findings

Welsh Government supports the Railways Bill as a step towards increased Wales's role in planning, delivery, and accountability of rail services, while reaffirming commitment to full devolution of rail services as a longer-term aspiration.
MoU will establish statutory-footed governance framework codifying devolved responsibilities, funding arrangements, and joint governance mechanisms between Welsh Ministers and Secretary of State for Transport, expected publication Spring 2026.
GBR Wales and Borders Business Unit will be empowered with distinct budget allocation and delegated authority; decisions on infrastructure, timetabling, and service delivery will be jointly developed by GBR and Transport for Wales.
Cross-border services arrangements to be replaced with new equitable framework; existing service baseline to be codified; new proposals jointly developed with ability for either TfW or GBR to deliver.
Renewed Wales Enhancements Rail Board formally recognised as strategic governance body to oversee enhancement programme, manage priorities pipeline, and hold delivery partners accountable.

Tone

Supportive

Topics

railwaysdevolutiongovernancepublic-transportcross-border-services

Key actors

Ken Skates, Welsh Government, UK Government, Great British Railways (GBR), Transport for Wales (TfW), Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Cadbury MP

Notable line

“The Bill represents a significant legislative step towards improving the UK's railway network …”

Key Quotes

“The Welsh Government welcomes the opportunity to provide written evidence to the UK Parliament Transport Committee in relation to the UK Railways Bill.”
— Ken Skates · Opening statement of the letter to the Transport Committee

“We remain committed to our ambition of the full devolution of rail services and infrastructure as recommended by the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.”
— Ken Skates · Statement on Welsh Government's longer-term devolution objectives

“The inclusion of provisions for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a dedicated Wales and Borders Business Unit within Great British Railways (GBR) are viewed as important steps towards ensuring a strengthened role for Wales in the future of rail service planning and delivery.”
— Ken Skates · Welcoming specific provisions of the Railways Bill

“The forthcoming MoU will be central to the success of the reforms envisaged by the Bill. It will codify devolved responsibilities, establish funding arrangements, and create mechanisms for joint governance between the Welsh and UK Governments.”
— Ken Skates · Describing the critical role of the MoU in implementing rail reform

“The Bill, supported by a comprehensive MoU, will help deliver a railway that is more integrated, resilient, and responsive to passengers.”
— Ken Skates · Outlining expected outcomes of the legislative and governance framework

View original document →

Source · parliament.uk record ↗