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Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on the overarching impact assessment for the draft Rail Reform Bill, which is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS). The RPC opinion is published to assist with this.

The opinion covers the overarching impact assessment (IA) for the draft Rail Reform Bill, which was published on 20 February 2024. Although an IA was published alongside the Bill, it was not submitted for RPC scrutiny until 29 February 2024.

The proposal is to establish a new integrated rail body (IRB) to co-ordinate the railways. The IA addresses specific elements of the IRB, such as accessibility, data, and environment. In addition, it includes assessment of two proposals, on which the RPC has already issued opinions see below. While these two proposals are identified as regulatory provisions, the impacts of five other proposals in the draft Bill are not regulatory provisions.

As most of the measures mentioned in the IA are not regulatory provisions, an EANDCB has not been monetised for the draft bill. For measures that are regulatory provisions, the IA explains why it is not possible to provide an EANDCB figure at this stage but provides a reasonable indication of scale of business impact. This is consistent with RPC guidance for primary legislation under Scenario 2. The proposals are not expected to have direct impacts on small or micro businesses.The RPC looks forward to scrutinising a final stage IA post-PLS but prior to the Bills introduction to Parliament.

Opinions on IAs on two elements of the draft Bill are also provided here, along with the link to the IAsRelated Proposals

The Luxembourg Rail Protocol. To provide a new power to make future regulations, which will allow for the full implementation of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol.

Power to make or amend rail markets legislation. To include a power in primary legislation that would enable the Government to make amendments to rail markets regulation through secondary legislation.