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Union Aslef said it would open up opportunities for school or college leavers, while the Rail Safety and Standards Board said its research found "18-year-olds are capable of safely becoming train drivers".

Since the middle of 2022, rail travel has been disrupted by industrial action as the RMT and the train drivers' union Aslef sought better pay and conditions for their members.

Aslef said it had been given a "significantly improved" pay offer by London Underground management and it would discuss that offer with union members on Thursday.

Finn Brennan, from Aslef, said the union was "pleased" strike action had been averted at this time.

Strikes by members of the drivers’ union Aslef next week and later in the month are still scheduled to go ahead.