Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prevent strikes on the rail network.

The Government is focused on resolving this dispute so that critically needed workforce reforms can take place, supported by a fair pay deal. However, the trade unions will not prevent these reforms from taking place by taking industrial action.

The Government has also played its part by improving communication and facilitating discussions between employers and the unions. The pay deals offer rail workers a decent pay rise that prioritises the lowest paid and compares well with increases in the wider economy.

RMT members overwhelming accept the Network Rail two-year offer earlier this year. We have not yet seen RMT offer its members in the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) a chance to vote on an almost identical offer from the Rail Delivery Group on behalf of the TOCs. This offer would have seen lowest paid benefiting from up to a 13% pay increase over two years. If there is to be an end to the industrial disputes, we urge trade unions like RMT and ASLEF to allow their members to have a say on these industry offers.