Re-privatising the East Coast Mainline would be a disaster, says TUC

date: 25 June 2013

embargo: For immediate release

The TUC has today (Tuesday) accused the government of putting ideology before evidence in its decision to re-privatise the East Coast Mainline.

Speaking to delegates at the RMT's annual congress in Brighton, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'The East Coast Mainline has thrived under state control with all profits re-invested back into improving the service.

'But the government is not interested in evidence-based policy and is once again putting the interests of private companies and shareholders before those of commuters and taxpayers.

'It is time ministers started listening to the public rather than the siren calls of big business. All the opinion polls tell the same story - the British people want their railways back. The case for renationalisation is overwhelming.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk