THE rail strikes overshadowed Parliament last week.

I know many faced significantly more challenges than I had. But I was still happy to support the RMT workers at their demonstration in Edinburgh.

The pay offer has been derisory, the changes to terms and conditions sought are unacceptable, and the UK Government has been intransigent in its negotiations.

The wages for RMT workers are in the main considerably lower than those bandied about for a train driver. In any event, I don’t begrudge those doing that job the sums they get, which are only available with significant overtime.

RMT workers were at their post during Covid. They’ve seen their incomes drop as wages have been frozen or only very limited rises, and now the cost of living is escalating. They need to feed their families and heat their homes, and that’s why I’m supporting them.

Others are similarly affected. As a former Justice Secretary, I’m aware of the restrictions imposed on officers both in terms of what their federation can do and that strike action by them is precluded.

As a result, a Police Negotiation Board (PNB) was established to try and arbitrate between officers and government. But the pay rise on offer to the police is as derisory as that to the RMT and what makes it worse is that the Government has been refusing to negotiate through the PNB. That’s wrong and is a breach of trust.

Other workers will likewise be seeking higher pay. It’s essential they get a rise that allows them to meet rising food and energy bills. There’s been no restrictions on bankers’ bonuses and corporate salaries. Inequality is growing in this country and it’s wrong that it’s the poorest who are expected to foot the bill. There’s wealth in this country, it’s just not shared fairly.

Rising costs and inflation aren’t the result of workers’ pay rises but the price of Brexit, global energy costs and incompetence by the Government. Workers need these pay rises.