8 September 2026
RMT Press Office
RAIL union RMT has welcomed new rail freight targets to help move more goods by rail, strengthen supply chains and support economic growth.
However, the union has pointed out the huge challenges facing a dwindling workforce in the privately run rail freight sector.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the number of jobs had halved since privatisation, and more resources were required to enable a major modal shift from road to rail.
“The sale of DB Cargo, where our members remain in limbo, vulnerable to asset strippers with no interest in growing rail freight jobs, demonstrates the precarious position of rail freight workers under the current system.
“Reforming modal shift grants, extending rail freight fuel duty and reducing track access charges for bulk freight should all be on the table,” he said.
The government has set new targets to increase rail freight under Great British Railways by at least 40 per cent by 2040.
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Tagged with: Rail, Freight
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