Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) on (a) train driver pay and (b) the strike action planned for 30 July 2022.

Negotiations on matters such as pay must take place between the trade unions and the employer. In this case the employers are the train operating companies, who are holding negotiations with trade unions via the Rail Delivery Group. The Secretary of State is in close touch with the industry on the negotiations and frequently engages with them.