Inquiry call over Sunday services

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The government is being asked to fully investigate the circumstances behind a train company cancelling all its Sunday services this weekend.

Passengers have been warned not to travel after all of London Midland's services this Sunday were cancelled.

London Midland said a large number of staff had failed to volunteer for this Sunday's shift.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has asked the transport secretary, Lord Adonis, to investigate.

London Midland provides services from London, through the Midlands to the North West.

Staff balloted

Services are expected to operate between Birmingham and Liverpool.

Mr Pritchard, a Conservative MP and a member of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, said London Midland made commitments to win its franchise and it should keep them.

"Hundreds of Midlands people use their trains for business and leisure.

"London Midland need to pay their staff a fair wage to work anti-social hours - and get the trains moving again," he said.

In July, the RMT said it was balloting staff over strike action as station, clerical, retail, booking office and supervisory staff did not receive the same pay for Sundays as drivers.

London Midland has said working on Sundays has always been voluntary.

"This weekend, so few have volunteered to work, that we have had no choice but to cancel services," a spokesman said.

Arrangements have been made with other train operators to accept London Midland tickets but passengers have been advised not to travel unless necessary.