Commenting on industrial action on Southern Rail, Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, said:

“It’s within the Government’s gift to bring about a suspension of rail strikes this week and resolve this Christmas chaos.

“Instead of promoting ever more draconian responses to genuine concerns about passenger safety, the Government should acknowledge that the whole issue of the dispatch of trains from platforms is in need of review.

“We need to take the heat out of the current situation. It’s vital that the parties agree to take a breath and there be a moratorium to enable some sensible, objective discussions to take place.

“We need to focus on what really matters which is the safety of the ever increasing numbers of passengers on our railways.

“As Southern commuters are well aware, services are delayed, cancelled and overcrowded every day regardless of strike action. For the sake of passengers, the Government must take this opportunity to resolve the dispute and sort out Southern’s unacceptable service.”