Labour has announced a freeze on rail fares in England running from early 2026 until March 2027.

The announcement made over the weekend comes ahead of this year’s autumn budget statement, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver on Wednesday. The freeze is part of the government’s wider efforts to ease the cost-of-living pressures on households. 

The pause in fare inflation will cover season tickets and most long-distance returns between major cities, which the government says will save passengers around £600 million. It will mark the first time in 30 years that rail fares in England have not increased. 

Reeves said the freeze “will ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school, or to visit friends and family that bit easier.” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander echoed the Chancellor adding: “Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.”

Critics, however, have questioned the scheme’s effectiveness. According to Financial journalist Paul Lewis a freeze alone ‘puts no money back in pockets’ and that cuts will be necessary. 

Elsewhere left-wing think tank Peace & Justice Project, founded by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, have hit back at the government stating: “Freezing rail fares means nothing when so many people have been priced out by high prices.” 

Railway reform has been a top priority for Labour since taking office in 2024. The new Railways Bill, currently progressing through parliament, will create Great British Railways, a publicly owned company responsible for overseeing and operating the country’s rail network and rolling stock. 

Easing pressure on families and services has also been another key point of policy for the party, with this week’s autumn budget expected to focus on reducing NHS waiting lists, national debt, and the wider cost of living.