THE Commons transport select committee has challenged the government to ensure that forthcoming regulations applying the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act to the rail industry meet a series of legal tests.

These include a requirement that a minimum service level for strike days should be at least as good as typically provided on previous strike days.

Safety on the rail network for staff and the public must be the “primary consideration” and greater responsibilities placed on those forced to work on strike days should be reflected in pay and conditions, the committee said.