Britons' journeys have been disrupted by several train strikes in recent months (Image: Getty)
Labour ministers have “caved to unions” with a deal to end train strikes that will be paid for by taxpayers, the shadow transport secretary Helen Whately has warned.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Dr. Marty
Never Do This With An Aging CatDr. Marty Learn More
Undo
The deal, which is to be voted on by Aslef union, would include a backdated 5% increase for 2019 to 2022, 4.75% for 2022 to 2024 and a further 4.5% for 2024 to 2025.
Labour has insisted their new pay offer to train drivers is a “good deal for the taxpayer” because it will prevent further strikes.
But Ms Whately said: “A ‘no strings’ deal means this will be paid for by passengers and taxpayers.
Sponsored
Neuro Reports
Neuro ReportsNeuropaty is not from Low vitamin B (Meet the Real Enemy)
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
“Ditching working practice reforms leaves a hole in the finances that can only be filled by higher fares or higher taxes.”
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of train drivers' union ASLEF, today suggested he could return to the negotiating table within just six months.
Don't miss... UK train stations with the worst delay and cancellation records in 2023 – MAPPED [LATEST]
ASLEF and the Government have hailed the offer as a major breakthrough as Labour seeks to prevent further industrial action by public sector workers.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: “Resetting the relationship between Government and public sector workers in this instance is a good deal for the taxpayer because we are preventing strikes from happening.
“There is a direct cost to the economy if the strikes continue and we need to work together in partnership with workers and trade unions and business in order to get sustainable growth back into the economy.
“So this is a good deal for the taxpayer, it’s a good deal for the economy.”
Drivers are being encouraged to accept the offer, which would end a two-year dispute, during which they have taken 18 days of strike action and refused to work non-contractual overtime, causing huge disruption to passengers.
Don't miss... Find out if your train is the most cancelled service in Britain [LATEST]
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
ASLEF said it has been the longest-running dispute in the history of Britain’s railways.
Mr Whelan said: “I believe this will go through.”
When asked how long this will be satisfactory or when the union might return for more cash, he said: “We won’t go back to the table with anybody for at least six to eight months.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves is fooling nobody with her cruel plan to rob millions of pensioners
62 Comments
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Rachel Reeves warns 'difficult decisions' on tax are coming after damning new report
1550 Comments
Labour's promises of delivering a 'fairer' society are already ringing hollow
100 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned of looming pension tax bombshell set to hit millions
383 Comments
Labour has shown its true colours after just one month in power, Priti Patel warns
185 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned against 'secret plan' to hike borrowing in ￡17billion bonanza
85 Comments
Taylor Swift Era's Tour return to Britain 'will boost economy and pensions'
37 Comments
Jeremy Hunt blasts Labour's blackhole ‘fiction' and warns Rachel Reeves will regret lying
195 Comments
Andrew Bailey joins experts pouring cold water on Rachel Reeves' economic claims
192 Comments
Rachel Reeves accused of making 'classic mistake' by former Chancellor George Osborne
124 Comments
Rachel Reeves risks squandering all the trust Labour earned
58 Comments
Rachel Reeves rumbled as Jeremy Hunt exposes Labour's lies after UK interest rate cut
440 Comments
UK border brutally exposed as gangs smuggle 'thousands' through undetected, NCA warns
21 Comments
Jeremy Hunt slams Rachel Reeves' 'planned' tax hikes after inflation rise - 'excuses!'
166 Comments
Labour caves to union barons again with another inflation-busting pay rise
2147 Comments
Chancellor urged not to drag families into new 'tax trap'
53 Comments
Rachel Reeves accused of hatching huge 'con' of voters with secret plot to borrow billions
235 Comments
Health Insight Journal
Seniors with Sciatica Pain: This Device is a Game ChangerHealth Insight Journal
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Junior doctors spark outrage as more strikes planned despite 22% pay rise - leaked video
832 Comments
Workers warned to brace themselves for pay curbs despite big increases for public sector
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves is fooling nobody with her cruel plan to rob millions of pensioners
62 Comments
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Rachel Reeves warns 'difficult decisions' on tax are coming after damning new report
1550 Comments
Labour's promises of delivering a 'fairer' society are already ringing hollow
100 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned of looming pension tax bombshell set to hit millions
383 Comments
Labour has shown its true colours after just one month in power, Priti Patel warns
185 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned against 'secret plan' to hike borrowing in ￡17billion bonanza
85 Comments
Taylor Swift Era's Tour return to Britain 'will boost economy and pensions'
37 Comments
Jeremy Hunt blasts Labour's blackhole ‘fiction' and warns Rachel Reeves will regret lying
195 Comments
Andrew Bailey joins experts pouring cold water on Rachel Reeves' economic claims
192 Comments
Rachel Reeves accused of making 'classic mistake' by former Chancellor George Osborne
124 Comments
Rachel Reeves risks squandering all the trust Labour earned
58 Comments
Rachel Reeves rumbled as Jeremy Hunt exposes Labour's lies after UK interest rate cut
440 Comments
UK border brutally exposed as gangs smuggle 'thousands' through undetected, NCA warns
21 Comments
Jeremy Hunt slams Rachel Reeves' 'planned' tax hikes after inflation rise - 'excuses!'
166 Comments
Labour caves to union barons again with another inflation-busting pay rise
2147 Comments
Chancellor urged not to drag families into new 'tax trap'
53 Comments
Rachel Reeves accused of hatching huge 'con' of voters with secret plot to borrow billions
235 Comments
Junior doctors spark outrage as more strikes planned despite 22% pay rise - leaked video
832 Comments
Workers warned to brace themselves for pay curbs despite big increases for public sector
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves is fooling nobody with her cruel plan to rob millions of pensioners
62 Comments
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Rachel Reeves warns 'difficult decisions' on tax are coming after damning new report
1550 Comments
Labour's promises of delivering a 'fairer' society are already ringing hollow
100 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned of looming pension tax bombshell set to hit millions
383 Comments
Labour has shown its true colours after just one month in power, Priti Patel warns
185 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned against 'secret plan' to hike borrowing in ￡17billion bonanza
85 Comments
Power Life
Do This Once Daily And Your Muscles Could Feel Years YoungerPower Life
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
He added: “We are pleased that after being treated with utter contempt for the last two years by the privatised train companies, and the previous government that was pulling their strings, we finally have a new government that listens and wants to make the railway work for staff, for passengers and for the taxpayer.
“The offer is a good offer, a fair offer, and it is what we have always asked for – a clean offer, without a land grab for our terms and conditions that the companies, and previous government, tried to take in April last year.”
Since June 2022, estimates suggest the rail industry missed out on around ￡850 million in revenue as a result of the strikes, creating a burden for the taxpayer, according to the Department for Transport.