(Amended 14 July to clarify pay offer details)

RMT members at Network Rail and train operating companies are set to stage another 24-hour walkout on 27 July, after talks between the union and Network Rail today led to a new pay offer of 4 per cent this year and a possible 4 per cent next year. Half of the 4 per cent increase in 2023 will depend on the RMT accepting Network Rail’s proposals to eliminate out of date working practices.

The RMT said Network Rail’s offer was ‘paltry’, while it has not received a pay offer or guarantees over job losses from the train operating companies.

Network Rail members will strike from 02.00 on 27 July for 24 hours, while members at the operators will take action from 00.01 until 23.59 on the same day.

The RMT said it would also be consulting with other unions which also have had strike ballot votes in favour of action.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘The offer from Network Rail represents a real terms pay cut for our members and the paltry sum is conditional on RMT members agreeing to drastic changes in their working lives.

‘We have made progress on compulsory redundancies. But Network Rail are still seeking to make our members poorer when we have won in some cases double what they are offering, with other rail operators.

‘The train operating companies remain stubborn and are refusing to make any new offer which deals with job security and pay.

‘Strike action is the only course open to us to make both the rail industry and government understand that this dispute will continue for as long as it takes, until we get a negotiated settlement. The public who will be inconvenienced by our strike action need to understand that it is the government's shackling of Network Rail and the TOCs that means the rail network will be shut down for 24 hours.

‘We remain open for further talks.’

Network Rail and the train operators who will be affected in England have yet to comment.