Quick-fire sale of Network Rail’s assets is shameful – Rachael Maskell

Rachael Maskell MP, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister, commenting on the announcement that Network Rail is to sell £1billion worth of public assets, said:

“This quick-fire sale of Network Rail’s assets is a shameful attempt by the Tories to plug a gap in the company’s cash flow by sacrificing its capital assets. Selling-off the family silver to compensate for a budgetary shortfall is the completely wrong approach.

“Flogging assets doesn’t solve the underlying problems with our railways: a fragmented, privatised railway system that drives up costs and a Government which squanders money through a failure to plan investment.

“The Government should instead prioritise improving Network Rail’s efficiency and ensuring necessary funding is delivered.”