Representatives of the Unite union have recommended their members reject a proposed deal to avert a strike by fuel tanker drivers.

Diana Holland, assistant general secretary of Unite, told the Today programme's Justin Webb that while they the first set of talks achieved security statements around health and safety and training which they were happy with, the instability and insecurity in the industry remains.

She said contracts are awarded in a "cost down approach".

She refused to be drawn on whether the dispute was really about pay and pensions and said that it was a about "a race to the bottom on awarding of contracts".

"There is no strike on the table at this point," she said but warned that more engagement with the government was needed.

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