London MidlandA rail firm has been accused of planning to make £1.25 million a year in profits from closing ticket offices and cutting jobs.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said London Midland was "blazing a trail" for cuts included in the recent McNulty review into the future of the rail industry, which the Government is currently considering.

Commuting comparisons

The union said it had obtained leaked financial reports from the company showing how £1.25 million will be made from cuts, including the closure of 86 out of 90 ticket offices and the loss of 100 jobs.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "These leaked documents show that for vandalising ticket offices and destroying jobs across the service, London Midland and its shareholders stand to profit to the tune of £1.25 million.

"Passengers, staff, politicians and user groups will be rightly angry when they see what this trail-blazer for the McNulty cuts means in cash terms for the profiteering private rail companies and we will be using this information to jack up the national campaign of resistance to ticket-office closures."

A London Midland spokesman said: "We have widely consulted on our proposal to change our ticket-office opening hours. This includes consultation with our staff and the rail unions.

"Our proposals have been submitted to the Secretary of State, who is weighing up the issues and we are waiting for her decision.

"Our proposals will match ticket-office opening hours with local demand and the savings made will provide best value for money for passengers and taxpayers."