It is an accepted fact that our rail industry, to put it mildly, leaves a great deal to be desired. Excuses given include staff shortages, broken trains, signals, track issues, and of course the major timetable change. Now we have notice of fare increases which the secretary of state, Chris Grayling, says should be eased by the workforce taking a lower-than-inflation pay increase (Report, 15 August).

So the staff who have borne the brunt of the above mess are to be expected to help pay to balance the incompetent books. And this on the day that vast differences between pay reward for shop floor and management have been shown to be growing. Timing could not be better. If it were not so grim it would be funny. Mr Grayling should be looking seriously at what the future holds for him. With any luck, not a position of any influence over the rest of us.

Margaret Prosser

Labour, House of Lords

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