Transport Secretary accused of 'going rogue' with huge pay hike offer to train drivers

Accusations and Backlash

The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has been accused of "going rogue" with a massive 15% pay hike offer to train drivers, catching government figures off guard. The deal, aimed at ending rail strikes, saw some drivers' pay rise past £80,000 for a four-day week, without any reforms to workers' rights protections. However, the offer sparked backlash, especially coming after pensioners faced cuts to winter fuel payments.

Government Response and Fallout

Despite claims of full backing from No10 and the Treasury, allies of Haigh faced embarrassment when Aslef threatened strikes over working conditions post-deal. The Prime Minister and Cabinet figures were reportedly furious, blaming the decision for triggering further issues. Sources claimed Haigh acted independently, blindsiding the government and not following proper cross-government processes.

Controversy and Connections

During the election, it was revealed that Haigh's parliamentary aide, Liam Conlon, received £4,000 from Aslef to support his MP bid, adding another layer of controversy to the situation.