Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold further discussions with rail operators and representatives to help prevent delays and cancellations to train services due to industrial action.

The Government welcomes the recent cancellation of strikes by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the restart of discussions with the Rail Delivery Group on its fair and reasonable two-year pay offer. We urge RMT to allow its members to have a say, as they did for the Network Rail two-year offer.

The Government has played its part in helping to facilitate and improve communication between the Unions and the rail industry. Where necessary, I will continue to facilitate open and constructive discussions to make progress and help the parties resolve the dispute.