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| UK government sells Eurostar stake for £757.1m | UK government sells Eurostar stake for £757.1m |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The UK government has announced that it is selling its 40% stake in the cross-Channel train operator Eurostar to an Anglo-Canadian consortium for £757.1m. | The UK government has announced that it is selling its 40% stake in the cross-Channel train operator Eurostar to an Anglo-Canadian consortium for £757.1m. |
| Under the deal, Patina Rail LLP will acquire the UK Treasury's entire share of the high-speed rail service. | Under the deal, Patina Rail LLP will acquire the UK Treasury's entire share of the high-speed rail service. |
| The French and Belgian national railways continue to own the rest. | The French and Belgian national railways continue to own the rest. |
| The intention to sell was first set out in 2013, in the government's Autumn Statement and National Infrastructure Plan. | The intention to sell was first set out in 2013, in the government's Autumn Statement and National Infrastructure Plan. |
| Chancellor George Osborne said the stake had fetched "far more than people expected we'd be able to sell it for". | Chancellor George Osborne said the stake had fetched "far more than people expected we'd be able to sell it for". |
| He added: "This is a very good deal - it means we can cut the national debt, it means we can invest in our national infrastructure and it's fantastic value for British taxpayers. It's all part of our long-term plan to secure Britain's future." | He added: "This is a very good deal - it means we can cut the national debt, it means we can invest in our national infrastructure and it's fantastic value for British taxpayers. It's all part of our long-term plan to secure Britain's future." |
| The consortium is made up of two companies: Canadian-based Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and the UK's Hermes Infrastructure. When the deal goes through, they will own 30% and 10% of Eurostar respectively. | |
| Eurostar began service in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: France's SNCF, Belgium's SNCB and British Rail (subsequently LCR). | Eurostar began service in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: France's SNCF, Belgium's SNCB and British Rail (subsequently LCR). |
| Since then, Eurostar has carried more than 145 million passengers, with more than 10 million in 2013 alone. Numbers have risen every year for the past 10. | Since then, Eurostar has carried more than 145 million passengers, with more than 10 million in 2013 alone. Numbers have risen every year for the past 10. |
| In September 2010, it became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR. | In September 2010, it became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR. |
| In June 2014, the UK government's holding was transferred from LCR to the Treasury. | In June 2014, the UK government's holding was transferred from LCR to the Treasury. |