Southern rail gives workers ultimatum to accept changes

The operator of the Southern rail network has offered conductors a lump sum of £2,000 in a bid to bring industrial action to an end.

The RMT union has been given a deadline of midday on Thursday to agree to end strikes.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said conductors would also be asked to sign up to new on-board roles as part of an eight-point offer.

Workers are due to stage 14 days of strike action in five blocks between 11 October and 8 December.