Minister defends rail disputes strategy despite financial hit

Huw Merriman said that while he ‘would not deny’ there has been financial damage caused by strikes, the Government stance was the right one.

Rail minister Huw Merriman (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

Rail minister Huw Merriman has defended the Government’s stance on strikes, months after admitting that the Government has lost more money due to the impact of rail strikes than it would have cost to settle the disputes months ago.

In remarks at the Transport Select Committee in January, the Conservative minister said the row with rail unions has “ended up costing more” but insisted the “overall impact” on all public sector pay deals must be considered.

Mr Merriman, in an interview with The House magazine, said that while he “would not deny” there has been financial damage caused by strike action, the Government stance was the right one.