RESOLVING the rail disputes months ago would have been cheaper than forcing workers to take strike action, a minister said in a “shocking admission” today.

Rail minister Huw Merriman told MPs during the transport select committee hearing that the row has “ended up costing more,” but insisted the “overall impact” on all public-sector pay deals must be considered.

Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said that “we’re talking of a cost to the government of over £1 billion so far” from the impact of strikes, which have repeatedly halted services for several months.