TALKS on running all-night Tube trains in London have broken up without agreement and the new service will not begin this year, union sources said yesterday.

The 24-hour service on Friday and Saturdays had been due to start last month but was delayed when Transport for London admitted it was unprepared.

Another meeting on conditions for Night Tube staff took place yesterday but failed to break the deadlock.

Finn Brennan, Tube organiser for train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “We have made it clear to London Underground that we want to keep talking and develop a solution that delivers Night Tube while protecting and improving work-life balance for our members.

“We have put forward a number of proposals to resolve this dispute in a way that is fair and benefits both sides.

“London Underground have rejected them all. Most disappointingly of all, they have decided to blackmail their own employees by refusing to make a pay offer unless staff agree to worsen their working conditions.

“That is not something we are prepared to accept. Underground management have completely mishandled these negotiations.

“They have wasted every opportunity for a settlement and seem to have been determined to provoke confrontation rather than resolution.”