New Transport Minister tells rail workers no price hike

The new transport minister has told rail workers that pay rises that match the surging cost of living will not be possible.

Mark Harper said he fully understands why unions want inflation-linked wage increases, but he said economic circumstances prevented it.

He agreed to help the unions to try to reach a deal with train firms ahead of the new strikes this Christmas.

He said that Harper's two predecessors had refused to get involved in the dispute, but he said that it was not his job to do the detailed negotiations and to try and encourage the two sides to come to an agreement and to make sure there is a free flow of information and the process moves along as quickly as possible.

Passengers were told to expect major disruption after the RMT said it would stage four 48 hour strikes next month.

The pub industry warned that it could ruin their busiest week of the year, and the walkouts are expected to hit people travelling for Christmas.