Transport secretary Mark Harper told MPs that he “will do everything I can to end these damaging and unnecessary strikes” ahead of planned meetings with trade union leaders.
Speaking during Commons transport questions, Harper said: “I want a sustainable, thriving rail network, but with 20 per cent of passengers not having returned following the Covid pandemic, reform is vital.
“I would urge all trade union leaders to get back around the table with employers to hammer out the detail of that reform. The government will work to facilitate this and to that end I will be meeting with trade union leaders in the coming days.”
His comments came as Labour’s Sam Tarry (Ilford South) urged Harper to do more, saying: “It’s in his hands to end those strikes and to do so today.”
Tarry said: “The secretary of state knows full well that he sets the flexibility and the parameters (for) both Network Rail and train operating companies on a financial offer they can put forward...