The "cash for closures" scandal is revealed in emails obtained by the respected publication Rail News. They reveal correspondence between senior DfT officials Ruth Harper and Simon Larson in which it is stated that:

"We can't say that the Government has no plans to close ticket offices because we have an application from London Midland where the Minister has already decided to approve some ticket office closures (it's just not been announced yet while we're concluding £ negotiations with LM) and there will be more of those in the future."

The London Midland plans would close a dozen ticket offices completely, result in savage cuts at 86 out of ninety offices and threaten over 100 jobs. They have been opposed by 18000 people in responses to the public consultation along with passenger groups, statutory monitors, disabled groups and politicians.

RMT pledged today to step up the campaign of resistance and will work with Midlands MP Jack Dromey to raise the "cash for closures" scandal in Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"This "cash for closures" scandal shows that the Government are prepared to ride roughshod over public opinion to bulldoze through ticket office closures with London Midland blazing a trail for the McNulty carve-up the length and breadth of the country.

"RMT will step up the fight to stop this stitch-up which would turn our stations into a muggers and vandals paradise."