Railways: Government support and public expenditure

Since the mid 2000s annual Government support to the rail industry has been significantly larger than in the 1980s and 1990s. A peak was reached in 2006/07, when real terms support of £7.3 billion was provided. Support in 2012/13 is around 30% lower than this peak, at £5.1 billion.

Since its recent peak in 2006/07, real terms public expenditure on railways has declined, and in 2012/13 totalled £6.8 billion. This expenditure includes Government support.