Train passengers on the West Coast Main Line are facing up to five months of disruption, as the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has confirmed a series of Sunday strikes set to begin on 12 January and run until 25 May. The strikes follow the rejection of Avanti West Coast’s latest pay offer, with over 80% of train managers voting against the proposal in a recent referendum.

Avanti West Coast, which operates high-speed services between London, the North West, and Scotland, has warned that the industrial action will result in “significant disruption” for customers. The company expressed disappointment over the vote outcome, claiming it had made a “very reasonable revised offer” to resolve the ongoing dispute. The dispute primarily concerns rest day working, particularly on Sundays, and a proposed “new technology payment” related to scanning electronic tickets.

The RMT, led by Mick Lynch, had suspended planned strikes just before Christmas after Avanti put forward a revised proposal. However, union leaders have now opted to resume and extend the industrial action, citing the company’s failure to deliver a fair deal. The core issue remains the company’s request for guards to work on rostered rest days, including Sundays, to cover staffing shortages and prevent timetable disruptions.

Avanti, which has been under fire for poor punctuality, was the worst-performing train operator between July and September, with only 41% of services arriving on time, compared to a national average of 67%. Despite this, the franchise narrowly avoided nationalisation after reporting some improvements. However, it continues to face scrutiny from the government, which ultimately controls its funding.

Industry observers suggest that the RMT may be leveraging its position to secure a more favorable deal from the Treasury, given Avanti’s heavy reliance on public funds. The union’s decision to escalate the dispute with five months of planned strikes highlights the ongoing instability in the UK’s rail sector, raising concerns for both businesses and commuters.

The strike action is expected to severely impact travellers on key routes, with long-distance services between major cities likely to be the hardest hit. As the dispute continues, passengers are urged to plan their journeys in advance and expect possible delays and cancellations.

The UK high street has experienced its biggest annual job losses since the pandemic, shedding nearly 170,000 retail positions in 2024, as shops continue to battle with rising taxes, escalating costs, and weakening consumer demand.

According to data from Altus Group and the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), the total number of retail job losses this year has reached 169,395, marking a 42% increase from 2023. The ongoing strain has been highlighted by the high-profile closures of major retailers including The Body Shop, Ted Baker, Homebase, Carpetright, and Lloyds Pharmacy, all of which have struggled under the mounting economic pressures.

Joshua Bamfield, director of CRR, attributed the job losses to a combination of higher operational costs, inflationary pressures, and government caution regarding the economy, which has eroded consumer confidence and led to tighter household budgets. “Consumers are becoming more cautious, and retailers are feeling the squeeze,” Bamfield explained.

Retailers are now bracing for an even tougher 2025, with forecasts predicting that an additional 200,000 jobs could be lost as a result of new policy measures. Two key upcoming changes are expected to significantly impact the industry: a reduction in business rate relief and a sharp increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

Altus Group estimates that business rates will rise by £688 million annually when the current 75% discount drops to 40%. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s plan to raise NICs from 13.8% to 15% and lower the threshold to £5,000 is expected to add further financial strain on retailers, particularly affecting part-time workers, who make up half of the retail workforce.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that retail employment has fallen to 3.6 million, down from over 4 million in 2019. November’s retail sales volumes were also 1.6% below pre-pandemic levels, and Boxing Day footfall was nearly 5% lower than in 2023, according to MRI Software.

Despite these challenges, the Treasury has defended its economic measures, arguing that 40% business rates relief will remain in place for 250,000 properties, and a permanent lower rate will be introduced in 2026. The government also emphasized that over half of employers will either see no change or a reduction in their NICs bill.

As the retail sector faces continued adversity, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether these measures can help stabilize the industry or whether more significant disruptions lie ahead.