Railways minister admits government lost more money in train strike than it cost to settle
Hugh Merriman, the railways minister told parliamentarians this morning that the government lost more money in the aftermath of the railway strike than it cost to settle the dispute months ago, PA Media reports. PA said:
Merriman told lawmakers the dispute “ultimately cost more” but considered the “overall impact” on all public sector wage deals. argued that it was necessary to
Ben Bradshaw The commission’s Labor Commissioner told Merriman that the strike “has cost the government more than £1 billion so far” from the effects of the strike.
He went on to ask: “That was easily enough money to settle this dispute a few months ago, wasn’t it?”
Merriman Answer: “Absolutely, looking at it with that particular lens actually cost me more than if I had just settled for that part.
“But again, we need to look at the overall impact on the current public sector wage bargaining. They are absolutely essential as part of the package.
“It is the reforms that will really fund these wage negotiations and make the railroads more efficient in the long run.”
Merriman told the commission that he “really hopes” that a settlement with the RMT rail union will come to an end soon to end the strike, PA reports.
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Aaron Bell (Con) says it supports Sunak’s ambition to stop the boat. Does PM ensure that people making that journey are removed?
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Alex Sobel (Lab) asks if Snack knew he paid millions to settle the tax bill when he appointed Nadim Zahawi to the Cabinet as Tory Speaker.
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snack The government is said to be implementing plans to invest in the north.
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snack said all unions, including the RCN, have meetings with ministers. he is happy about it
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snack The pledge of support was contingent on the company getting private investment, it said. it was reasonable. But private investment did not come. But Sunak said the government is investing elsewhere in the northeast.
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snack focuses on the assistance provided to people to help them pay their energy bills.
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snack It says the working group is looking into this.
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snack The mayor of London says this unfair tax should be stopped.
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snack Khan says these serious concerns need to be addressed. And he says he is against extending Urezzoon.
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snack It said the decision to block it was based on the impact it had on pending matters. So the Scottish secretary acted “with regret”.
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Today, Tory MPs will vote to scrap EU rules that have been held against Scotland’s wishes, he said. Are we on a slippery slope to ripping apart devolution and imposing direct control?
no, say snack. He urges SNP to work with the UK government to create a compromise gender identity bill.
