ANDY Burnham has agreed above-inflation pay rises with train drivers to avoid embarrassing strikes on the London to Manchester line.

It is his first public sector pay deal since he set up No10 North in Manchester — where his ministers now routinely have to travel via Avanti West Coast services.

Andy Burnham has agreed above-inflation pay rises with train drivers Credit: Henry Nicholls/PA Wire

The PM wanted to avoid embarrassing strikes on the London to Manchester line Credit: EPA

Burnham has referred to this as a “transfer of power” out of London.

Leaked union correspondence shows the PM signed off a 3.6 per cent deal for Aslef drivers who start on £70,000 a year.

Sign up for the Politics newsletter

Thank you!

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden accused Labour of capitulating to the unions.

He told The Jattvibeday Times: “Taxpayers are being asked to stump up millions simply to save Burnham’s blushes.”

SALARIES LAG
Just 1 in 5 employers plan to give staff above-inflation pay rises this year

BUCKS UP
Eight jobs with the biggest pay rises – there’s no need for a degree & earn £48k

“This is Labour paying more for less.

“And it’s passengers and taxpayers footing the bill.”

The pay deal represents a huge win for the Aslef union, whose drivers are also set to receive a £720 bonus simply for turning up to work on a fifth day of the working week.

It came after their refusal to work on the rest of the days forced cuts to 38 services this summer.

Ministers have separately offered LNER drivers on the east coast mainline a 12 per cent pay rise over the next four years.

As well as softer requirements for sick notes and non-attendance.