MPs call for rethink on rail jobs

National Express East Anglia has announced up to 300 jobs are to be cut

Plans to cut 300 rail jobs are being challenged by five East Anglian MPs.

The politicians, led by Norwich North MP Ian Gibson, want National Express East Anglia to reverse its plans to cut the jobs on its rail network.

The MPs claim it will "damage passenger services" and the operator is only interested in profits after paying out more than £40m in dividends last year.

National Express East Anglia said it was reviewing its business to focus on customer service and operations.

The train company runs services from Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk into London.

The MPs are further concerned passenger security and information will be reduced as stations cut staff posts.

The motion said this "in turn could contribute to safety problems this winter with a lack of early morning de-icing duties and very restricted assistance for disabled passengers boarding trains".

Shareholder dividends

The MPs believe National Express is motivated by a desire to protect profit margins and this is not the result of a proper assessment of passenger needs.

"The proposals fly in the face of National Express's statement on signing their franchise that passenger customer service would be enhanced," they said.

"These cuts are taking place when the National Express Group has so far paid out £40.2m in shareholder dividends in 2008 and presided over a 6% increase in ticket prices."

They have called on the company to reverse its decision and agree with unions that adequate staffing levels are required across the franchise.

The motion is signed by MPs Ian Gibson (Norwich North), Tony Wright (Great Yarmouth), Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North, John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington) and Bob Russell (Colchester).

A National Express spokesperson said: "Trials are already underway of the new catering service, available to all customers, providing a range of new options delivered at seats in first class carriages and available from the café bar for standard ticket holders.

"Also, as any sensible business does, we are constantly reviewing the structure of the business and a review is being undertaken to give greater focus on customer service and operational delivery.

"Our people are being fully consulted and the outcomes are being shaped by consultation with trade unions and elected staff representatives."