Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to Claire Perry’s admission in a Ministerial Correction that her “statement on punctuality cannot be substantiated”, said:

“This is an extraordinary admission from the rail minister.

“‘Calamity Claire’ – the curse of the commuters - has struck again. First she shows how out of touch she is by saying commuters on packed trains should realise that they are paying ‘fair fares for comfortable commuting’. Now she is having to backtrack on her claims on train punctuality.

“As confirmed by the latest Network Rail board minutes, the truth is that punctuality is at its lowest level for seven years and fares have risen by 20 per cent on average since the election.”