Essex trains on track to be first nationalised under Labour

Train operators Greater Anglia and West Midlands' core contract terms expired yesterday

This could put the services on track to be the first ones nationalised by the Labour government.

The ending of the core term of their contracts means Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has the power to terminate their deal with 12 weeks' notice.

She is not expected to act until the Government's nationalisation legislation completes its passage through Parliament.

She's previously said she would be "wasting no time" in bringing services back under public ownership.

These are the first two operators to reach the end of their core terms since Labour came to power in July.

The companies' full contracts are not due to expire until September 2026.

Haigh has said: "For too long our broken railways have failed passengers day in day out with delays and cancellations.

The transport sec has said that she is "laser focused" on overhauling the railways and wasting no time in bringing train operating companies back under public ownership.

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill has already been rushed through the House of Commons and is due to be debated in the Lords for the first time on October 7.

The legislation means the Government will take over services from private firms as their franchises expire.