RAIL union leader Manuel Cortes has called on Nicola Sturgeon to ensure there are no cuts to essential staff when ScotRail goes into public ownership in 2022.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association’s general secretary made the call as part of five demands he has penned in a letter to the First Minister ahead of the rail services being taken into the public sector in 2022, operated by an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish government.

Mr Cortes has said that his suggestions would protect jobs and make the railway truly fit for Scotland’s future, calling on ScotRail and the government to reverse planned cuts to services and ticket office closures in the new year.