Government confirms it will renationalise railway services

Labour has pledged for this to happen within five years

The legislation was announced in the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, in which Labour laid out its plans for government.

This included plans to bring train operators into public ownership. Legislation will see the establishment of Great British Railways, a new public body which will inherit existing contracts when they expire.

Labour has pledged to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services within five years and take on responsibility for running services,

The King said: "My ministers will bring forward legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership."

It was also confirmed that the government will introduce a bill to restrict sales of cigarettes and vapes. The government will "progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes".

This was a policy initially introduced by the previous Conservative government back in November.

Other key announcements in the King's Speech included the removal of VAT exemption on private schools, the establishment of Great British Energy to accelerate investment in green infrastructure and the abolition of no fault evictions.

The King's Speech marks the official start of the substantive legislative agenda. It is expected that the first post-election session of Prime Minister's Questions will take place next Wednesday (July 24).

The House of Commons summer recess will then take place at the end of July, with MPs returning at the beginning of September.