Tories accuse Burnham of capitulating to union paymasters after train drivers win 3.6% pay rise

Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden accused the Burnham government of caving in to strike threats, arguing that Labour was handing the bill to taxpayers to protect the PM from embarrassment. Avanti West Coast drivers, whose starting salary is around £70,000 a year, secured the above-inflation deal after Aslef balloted members for industrial action on the London–Manchester corridor that Burnham himself uses regularly. The settlement — the first of the Burnham premiership — covers time-and-a-half pay for Sunday working and a bonus of as much as £720 for a fifth day worked.

Aslef's council secretary Si Goode credited the strong ballot result with putting 'immense pressure' on both Avanti and the government.

The 3.6% rise sits 0.7 points above the current inflation rate, meaning drivers gain ground in real terms.

Holden: 'Taxpayers are being asked to stump up millions simply to save Burnham's blushes.'