Keir Starmer to let mayors 'take back control' as Sadiq Khan seeks more power over commuter rail services

Sir Keir Starmer’s government vowed to let Britain’s mayors “take back control” as Sadiq Khan pushes for more power over London’s commuter rail services and a £2.2 billion boost to tackle the capital’s housing crisis.The London Mayor has been arguing that Transport for London should oversee services operated by Southeastern into Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street stations, and the Great Northern services between Hertfordshire and Moorgate.Mr Khan has raised hopes that a Labour government, committed to “renationalising” the railways within the next five years, will be more willing to transfer control once Department for Transport contracts with the private rail firms expire.The Great Northern contract runs until next March but can be extended by the DfT to 2028, while the Southeastern contract is due to run until 2027.