Unpossible

This can't be true.

The publicly owned East Coast main line was one of only two train operations, along with SouthWest trains, that contributed to Treasury coffers rather than relying on subsidy to turn a profit.

Private operators paid out a total of £183m in dividends to shareholders, with Northern Rail – the recipient of £669m in subsidy – paying £27m.

Across Britain, the state paid £3.8bn to Network Rail and train operators, with the Department for Transport’s contribution falling. Scottish and Welsh governments’ contribution, however, rose.