Burnham approves 3.6% pay rise for Avanti West Coast train drivers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved a significant above-inflation pay rise for train drivers on the Avanti West Coast network, a move his government says is aimed at resolving industrial disputes and preventing major service disruptions. The deal, confirmed by the Department for Transport, represents the first major public sector wage agreement under Burnham's leadership. Under the agreement, drivers represented by the Aslef union will receive a single-year pay increase of 3.6 percent. This rise is 0.7 percentage points above the most recent inflation rate of 2.9 percent. Drivers on the network, which connects London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow, typically start on salaries of around £70,000. The package also includes continued time-and-a-half pay for Sunday work and a bonus of up to £720 for working a fifth day in the week. The deal was struck with Avanti West Coast and approved by the Department for Transport Operator. A Department for Transport spokesperson stated that the government "prioritised resolving the rail union disputes, improving services for passengers and saving hundreds of millions in lost revenue to ease the burden on taxpayers.