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Chris Grayling says he is not 'shirking' by visiting Qatar | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Chris Grayling has insisted he is not "shirking" his job by travelling to Qatar on the day the biggest rise in UK rail fares since 2013 came into effect. | |
The transport secretary told LBC it would "not make any difference" whether he was in the UK or not as the rise had been announced in August. | |
He said he was "helping Britain get more jobs" by going to the Gulf. | |
Labour said Mr Grayling had "gone into hiding" as protests took place at 40 stations against the fare rises. | |
Many commuters have seen their season tickets go up by more than £100. | |
The government has insisted Mr Grayling's trip to Qatar was "pre-planned", but it has been seized upon by opposition parties, who claim it shows his disregard for commuters. | |
Speaking to LBC from the Middle East, Mr Grayling - who is MP for Epsom and Ewell - said he was a commuter too, and like all commuters he did not like to see fares go up. | |
He defended his absence from the UK and his decision to travel to the Gulf state on a two-day trade visit. | |
"I don't think I have shirked the issue," he said, arguing that the average rise of 3.4% was confirmed a month ago. | |
"I have done radio interviews about it and answered questions in the House of Commons," he continued. | |
He added: "I think it is really important we try and get out and win business for Britain. Today my presence in the country does not make any difference. I can make a difference trying to help Britain get more jobs." | |
Downing Street said "we've known [the fare rises] were coming for a while" and a full response had been issued. | |
But Labour's shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said Mr Grayling had gone "into hiding" because he was "unable to defend" the fare hike, and was also "refusing to explain the £2bn taxpayer bailout of Virgin East Coast". | |
"Passengers deserve better than this," he added. | "Passengers deserve better than this," he added. |
Mr McDonald said he had been forced to cancel plans to take part in a protest against the rail fare in Leeds after his train from London Kings Cross broke down. | Mr McDonald said he had been forced to cancel plans to take part in a protest against the rail fare in Leeds after his train from London Kings Cross broke down. |
"If anything ever demonstrated just how broken this system is it's this today," he added. | |
Mr Grayling's visit to Qatar will be followed by a day in Turkey. | |
Asked about the purpose of the visit, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "There are ministers visiting a whole host of countries spreading the message that Britain is a very good place to invest and to do business in. Chris Grayling obviously plays an important part in that." | Asked about the purpose of the visit, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "There are ministers visiting a whole host of countries spreading the message that Britain is a very good place to invest and to do business in. Chris Grayling obviously plays an important part in that." |
A government spokesman said the way fares were calculated was "under review" and the transport department "carefully monitors how rail fares and average earnings change". | A government spokesman said the way fares were calculated was "under review" and the transport department "carefully monitors how rail fares and average earnings change". |
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: "Rail passengers are shivering on platforms angered by the biggest fare increase in years while Chris Grayling is off globetrotting. | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: "Rail passengers are shivering on platforms angered by the biggest fare increase in years while Chris Grayling is off globetrotting. |
"It's very difficult to see what useful function he can perform in Qatar and Turkey that our excellent trade officials could not." | "It's very difficult to see what useful function he can perform in Qatar and Turkey that our excellent trade officials could not." |
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said passengers forking out more for train travel will "draw their own conclusions" from Mr Grayling's decision to take a "trip to the Qatari sunshine". | Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said passengers forking out more for train travel will "draw their own conclusions" from Mr Grayling's decision to take a "trip to the Qatari sunshine". |
Mr Grayling is one of a number of ministers mentioned in press speculation over the weekend about a possible cabinet reshuffle. | Mr Grayling is one of a number of ministers mentioned in press speculation over the weekend about a possible cabinet reshuffle. |
Asked whether he would remain transport secretary for the foreseeable future, the PM's spokesman said: "Chris Grayling is working hard and doing a good job as transport secretary." | Asked whether he would remain transport secretary for the foreseeable future, the PM's spokesman said: "Chris Grayling is working hard and doing a good job as transport secretary." |