25 November 2020
RMT Press Office:
RMT calls for urgent support for Eurostar as Government inaction threatens the future of the service.
RAIL UNION RMT has called for urgent Government financial support for the crucial Eurostar link to the continent, warning that a failure to act threatens the future of the service and the thousands of jobs that it supports.
In a recent round-table meeting with the Rail Minister both the company and the union requested direct financial support for Britain's eco-friendly international rail service which currently receives no taxpayer subsidies.
The minister declined support for the business which was at record passenger numbers and revenue before the Covid lockdowns and which will clearly have a major role to play as we move out of lockdown. RMT says that it is shocking that the Government have frozen Eurostar out of the same financial support offered to the airports. That Government failure leaves Eurostar staring into the abyss.
General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"RMT is calling on the government to step in immediately to give lifeline financial support for the important international infra-structure role fulfilled by Eurostar and the thousands of jobs supported both directly and indirectly by the service.
"It is wholly wrong that Eurostar, an eco-friendly service that is a beacon for the future of our railways, is being denied the kind of financial support being offered to the airports. The current inaction leaves the service hanging by a thread and all we are asking for is the support needed to maintain viability and stability as we move out of this phase of lockdown and look forward to the future."
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