RMT leader Mick Lynch has called on government ministers to “stop play-acting” when they meet rail unions today for talks.

RMT and train drivers’ union Aslef will meet Rail Minister Huw Merriman in a bid to find solutions to the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and working agreements.

The unions say the government is responsible for blocking a deal to end the dispute — and it should stop pretending otherwise.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper denies the allegation, saying he is facilitating talks between unions and employers.

The talks come after four days of strike action by RMT members and one by Aslef which disrupted rail services last week.

Mr Lynch said: “Today I want to see the government stop play-acting because the truth, written in black and white in their rail contracts, is that they’ve been in complete control of this dispute from day one.

“The train operators cannot move without government say-so.

“Passengers, workers and businesses are suffering and even rail company managers are beginning to break ranks in despair at the government’s approach.

“The minister cannot hide behind this fairy story that he is just a facilitator.”

Mr Lynch said that the government “can end this dispute today by taking out the conditions they put in to torpedo a resolution and let the companies make a deal.”

Aslef officers will consider a below-inflation proposal made on Friday by train operators of a 4 per cent pay rise for 2022 and 4 per cent this year.

The government is using taxpayers’ cash to compensate rail operators for any profits they lose due to strike action.