Sussex MP admits rail strikes have cost more than resolving dispute

Rail minister and MP for Bexhill and Battle Huw Merriman told the MPs the row has “ended up costing more”, but insisted the “overall impact” on all pay deals across the public sector needed to be considered.

While being grilled in a meeting of the transport select committee, Mr Merriman said that the strike action had “actually ended up costing more than would have been the case if it was just settled”.

Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle (Image: PA)

However, he added: “We have to look at the overall impact of the public sector pay deals that are going across, and we also have to look on the ability for the reforms that don’t often get talked about, but they’re absolutely vital as part of the package.

“It’s the reforms that will actually pay for these pay deals and also make the railway more efficient in the long run as well.”

• READ MORE: Train drivers announce two fresh strike dates for February after pay offer rejected

Mr Merriman insisted the government had not “interfered in a negative manner” during negotiations aimed at resolving the row over jobs, pay and conditions.

He said: “I believe that we have been able to intervene positively. We have been able to refresh mandates. That has led to settlements with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association and Unite.

“I very much hope that will lead to a settlement with the RMT, who have been responsible for 70 per cent of industrial action over the last year.

“There are talks going on between the Rail Delivery Group and the RMT, and there have been talks going on last week and into this week with the union and Network Rail, so I’m really hopeful that those talks will lead to a settlement.”

While there are no confirmed dates for further rail strikes this month, the RMT and ASLEF have announced strikes on February 1 and February 3, which are expected to cripple the rail network.