Rail strikes ‘likely to go ahead’, as minister rejects calls to end boycott of talks

Simon Clarke insists ‘employers’ must carry out negotiations – despite railways being effectively state run

The biggest rail strikes for 30 years are “likely to go ahead”, a Treasury minister says, as he rejected calls for the government to try to settle the dispute.

Ministers are under fire over their boycott of the talks, a senior Conservative MP joining Labour and the Trades Union Congress in calling for the government to get around the negotiating table.

But Simon Clarke insisted it was up to “the employers” to conduct the talks – despite the railways being effectively state run since the franchising system was abandoned when Covid struck.

“I fear it is likely they will go ahead,” the chief secretary to the Treasury said, as 40,000 rail workers prepare to strike on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, in a dispute that could last for the rest of the year.

Mr Clarke also warned public-sector workers to prepare for real-terms pay cuts, as awards loom for teachers and NHS staff and they also consider strike action.

He revealed those awards are coming in at “sensible levels” – code for increases far below an inflation rate set to hit 11 per cent – while refusing to reveal any details.

“We have an inflation problem in this country,” the Treasury minister told Sky News, adding: “If we don’t want that problem to either intensify or prolong itself, then we need to be sensible around pay awards.”

Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Delivery Group, representing track operator Network Rail and the passenger companies, said it had not “put a pay offer on the table yet”.

Only about 20 per cent of trains are expected to run on strike days, with disruption set to extend over six days in total, starting on Monday evening.

The action is being taken by Network Rail employees, as well as by onboard and station staff working for 13 train operators in England.

It involves rail cleaners, customer service assistants and ticket office staff, who all earn much less rail workers and will be hit hardest by real-terms wage cuts.

The RMT union has said that, as well as pay cuts during a time of soaring inflation, thousands of jobs are at risk in maintenance roles and that ticket office closures are planned.

Jake Berry, a Conservative MP and former rail minister, has called for ministers to get involved in the talks – as they instead seek to exploit Labour’s links with the unions to win the blame game.

But Mr Clarke insisted it was “quite proper” for the legal employers to lead the talks, adding: “It will only confuse tings if we add a third party to these negotiations.”

But he also demanded reform, saying: “The way our rail network operates is not fit for the 2020s and it’s in nobody’s interest that that continues.”

Asked if the UK is heading for a ‘Summer of Discontent’, Mr Clarke replied: “I very much hope not.”