The transport secretary, Mark Harper, refused to deny reports that the government pushed rail companies to include future use of driver-only trans as a condition of a pay deal, potentially scuppering an agreement to stop strikes over the winter.
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Labour MP Ben Bradshaw repeatedly pressed the transport secretary on the matter, telling the commitee he was 'avoiding the question'. Harper insisted 'no one is trying to stop a deal, quite the reverse'. Despite the lack of deal, he said there had been 'constructive' talks, although Labour have criticised the government for 'guaranteeing Christmas chaos' since a series of strikes were announced.

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