Connect with us

Published

on

Train strikes will affect commuters over several days starting this week and into next week.

The strikes by ASLEF will affect the services of 17 train companies.

Fresh industrial action and an overtime ban by drivers is likely to cause widespread disruption in an ongoing dispute over pay, the union said.

In some places there may be no services at all on strike days, and services that are running will start later and finish much earlier than usual – typically running between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Tuesday 30 January

Southeastern

Southern/Gatwick Express

GTR Thameslink

South Western Railway

SWR Island Line

Wednesday 31 January

Northern Trains

TransPennine Express

Friday 2 February

C2C

Greater Anglia

LNER

Saturday 3 February

Avanti West Coast

East Midlands Railway

West Midlands Trains

Monday 5 February

Chiltern

CossCountry

Great Western Railway

How can I stay in the loop?

National Rail urges anyone hoping to travel on strike and overtime ban days to use its Journey Planner to keep an eye on how services will be affected.

What has been said about the strikes?

The union claims drivers have not had a pay rise since 2019.

ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said: “We have given the government every opportunity to come to the table but it is now a year since we had any contact from the Department for Transport. It’s clear they do not want to resolve this dispute.

“Many members have now not had a single penny increase in pay for half a decade, during which time inflation has soared and, with it, the cost of living. We didn’t ask for an increase during the pandemic, when we worked through lockdown, as key workers, risking our lives, to move goods around the country and enable NHS and other workers to get to work.”

He urged the government to “come to the table” to end the dispute.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “There are no winners from these strikes that will unfortunately cause disruption for our customers.

“We believe rail can have a bright future but right now taxpayers are contributing an extra £54m a week to keep services running post-Covid.

“Aslef’s leadership need to recognise the financial challenge facing rail.

“Drivers have been made an offer which would take base salaries to nearly £65,000 for a four-day week before overtime – that is well above the national average and significantly more than many of our customers, who have no option to work from home, are paid.

“Instead of staging more damaging industrial action, we call on the Aslef leadership to work with us to resolve this dispute and deliver a fair deal which both rewards our people, and makes the changes needed to make services more reliable.

“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced services between Monday 29 January to Tuesday 6 February, so our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information.”

Continue Reading

UK

Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

Published

on

By

Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

A second man has been arrested in connection with fires at two properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The 26-year-old was arrested around 1.45pm at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

The arrest was made by counter terrorism officers. The man has been taken into police custody in London.

It comes after a Ukrainian man, 21, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Roman Lavrynovych appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation because of the connections to the prime minister.

Emergency services were called to a fire in the early hours of Monday at a house in Kentish Town, north London, where Sir Keir lived with his family before the election.

Read more from Sky News:
Why gold spike means you need to update your home insurance

Meet the UK’s Eurovision hopefuls who sing trollers’ insults

Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, but nobody was hurt.

A car was also set alight in the same street last Thursday.

There was another blaze at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington, also linked to the prime minister, on Sunday.

One person was taken to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus.

Continue Reading

UK

Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Published

on

By

Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.

It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.

Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.

Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze (right) scores his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Pic: PA
Image:
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze scores. Pic: PA

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush (left) reacts after having his penalty saved as Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is mobbed by his team mates during the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Pic: PA
Image:
Man City’s Omar Marmoush after his penalty was saved. Pic: PA

It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.

They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. PA
Image:
Dean Henderson dodged a red card and saved a penalty. Pic: PA

Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.

More from UK

Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.

‘It’s all about spirit’

Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 17, 2025. Adam Davy/PA Wire
Image:
Eze celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: PA

“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?

“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

Published

on

By

Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

A manhunt has been launched after five people were stabbed at an event in southeast London, police have said.

Officers were called to Nathan Way, Thamesmead, at 4.19am on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Five people were found with stab wounds and were taken to hospital where their injuries are still being assessed.

No arrests have been made.

Read more from Sky News:
Rapper charged with GBH in Chris Brown case
Firefighters and business owner killed in blaze named

“Enquiries are ongoing and a cordon will remain in place throughout the day,” a Met Police statement said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Continue Reading

Trending