HOPES of settlement in a dispute over the scrapping of the “night Tube driver” grade rose today as London Underground (LU) appeared to shift its position ahead of talks.

Members of transport union RMT are set to start a campaign of 24-hour stoppages next Tuesday over fears that the move threatens 200 jobs and the work-life balance of thousands of train drivers.

But a media statement issued by bosses on the eve of today’s talks at conciliation service Acas appeared to concede that no driver would be “forced to take duties that they do not want to do.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch noted that the statement “goes much further than their negotiators have been prepared to move in earlier discussions.”

He said: “We will be putting ‎their press statement back to them at Acas and calling on them to make good on their public promises.

“If‎ LU is prepared to commit to no compulsory night Tube duties and no reduction in jobs we could consider suspending action and this could be solid grounds for progress.‎”

RMT members voted for action by a margin of seven to one.