RAIL unions and politicians will rally this week to warn that public transport in London will grind to a halt without long-term financial planning.

The protest outside Parliament on Wednesday will be held days before a decision is expected on funding for Transport for London (TfL).

Unions and politicians have warned that bus and Tube services will be cut without more funds, with a likely hit to jobs.

Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Manuel Cortes has warned that the capital’s public transport will grind to a halt without a long-term financial plan.

“This is a hugely important demonstration because we know our public transport system in London desperately needs a proper long-term funding settlement from the government,” he said.

“Yet instead we see ministers attacking TfL services and budgets with the sole aim of undermining London and our brave transport workers, who have stood on the front line throughout the Covid crisis.

“We will make it clear to those inside the Westminster Parliament that we are not going away. Ministers must step up to the plate before services really do start grinding to a halt.”

Rail, Maritime & Transport (RMT) union general secretary Mick Lynch said: “As the December 11 deadline for negotiating a new funding package for Transport for London approaches, RMT will be joining London’s other trade unions to demonstrate outside Parliament, calling on the government to stop its attacks on transport workers and for the restoration of the operating grant to TfL.

“This demonstration will be making it clear that attacks on pensions, pay freezes and threats to services and jobs is not an acceptable way to treat London’s transport workers, who have kept the city moving through a global pandemic.”

A government spokesman said it has provided more than £4 billion in emergency funding to TfL.