RMT senior assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey launched a scathing attack on cleaning contractors today at the union’s AGM in Bournemouth.

Speaking in support of an unanimously backed motion calling for all cleaners to be paid at least £15 an hour and for their jobs to be brought back in house by rail companies, Mr Dempsey condemned the “racket” that operates in the industry.

He said: “I’ve seen undocumented workers being paid in little brown envelopes of cash money below the minimum wage.