Train drivers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a multi-year pay offer in the latest climbdown to the unions by Sir Keir Starmer.

The deal brings an end to the two-year dispute by train drivers (Image: Getty)

Aslef said its members voted by 96% in favour of a deal worth 15% over three years, with a turnout of 84%.

The offer was made by the new Labour Government within weeks of the party winning the General Election, bringing a two-year standoff to an end.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the end of the longest train drivers’ strike in history.

“The strength and resilience and determination shown by train drivers to protect their hard-won and paid-for terms and conditions against the political piracy of an inept and destructive Tory government has prevailed.

“It was not a fight we sought, or wanted. All we sought after five years without a pay rise, working for private companies who, throughout that period, declared millions of pounds in profits and dividends to shareholders, was a dent in the cost of living.

“We are grateful that Louise Haigh, the Secretary of State for Transport, and the adults entered the room and sought an equitable way forward so that trains will perform and run in the interest of the passenger, of the taxpayer and of those who work in and are dedicated to this industry.

“Those who have been lying about this pay offer, and conflating the deal offered to train drivers with decisions on the winter fuel allowance, should be ashamed. Although it seems to be the work of those who would not accurately report anything about train drivers over the past two years.

“Now we will get back to our day job of seeking a green, well-invested, vertically integrated and safe public railway.”

Ms Haigh said: “After two years of chaos on our railways under the Conservatives, this is an important step towards fixing our railways and getting the country moving again.

“It will ensure a more reliable service by helping to protect passengers from national strikes, and crucially, it clears the way for vital reform – including modernising outdated working practices – to ensure a better-performing railway for everyone.

“We have inherited a £22billion black hole in the nation’s finances.

“Every decision taken is to stabilise the economy and protect working people.

“The cost of not settling would significantly outstrip the cost of this below-inflation deal.

“We won’t make the same mistake as the Conservatives, who deliberately prolonged disputes, resulting in the longest strike in the history of the railways – costing our economy and the taxpayer more than £1billion.

“This Labour Government will always put passengers and taxpayers first.”

But the Tories criticised the bumper pay offer to train drivers, which comes after junior doctors accepted a 22% hike earlier this week.

Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately said: “It is no surprise that this pay deal was voted through.

“It’s an inflation-busting pay rise with ‘no strings attached’ for reforms or improvements to services for passengers. And it will do nothing to prevent strikes in future.

“The Government has failed to take responsibility – they don’t want to do the hard work of negotiating a fair, affordable settlement. Easier just to say yes to the unions and have taxpayers pick up the bill.”

During the dispute 13,000 drivers took 18 days of strike action, as well as refusing to work non-contractual overtime at 16 companies.