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One in five train services could be AXED next year as treasury tightens the purse-strings after propping up the network during Covid

A fifth of rail services could be cut next year because Ministers are struggling to control a ballooning multi-billion-pound taxpayer bill. Whitehall officials are looking at plans that could see rail capacity slashed to around 80 per cent of pre-pandemic service levels. It is one of the measures under serious consideration following Treasury pressure to reduce the strain on the public purse from propping up the country’s rail network. Whitehall officials are looking at plans that could see rail capacity slashed to around 80 per cent of pre-pandemic service levels Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reported to have approved a modest £2.1 billion to ensure services keep running during the next financial year, constituting less than a quarter of the £9 billion estimated bill for the year to March 2021. Experts have already warned that the financial challenges of coronavirus, compounded by a highly infectious new strain of the virus, are likely to result in a delayed recovery in rail passenger num

'Glad tidings of great joy': Boris Johnson presents his Brexit gift to Britain in festive video message as summary of deal is published at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve with Tory Brexiteers AND Labour looking set to back agreement next week

Boris Johnson has presented his 'Brexit gift' to Britain in a Christmas video message, as his deal was last night given a double boost with a tentative welcome from Euro-sceptics and a call from Sir Keir Starmer for his Labour MPs to back it. The PM has lined up a crucial moment next Wednesday when he will try to push the legislation underpinning the historic agreement through all its Parliamentary stages. And the early response from Tory MPs was positive, with one senior figure telling MailOnline they were pleased with the details so far and 'maybe it will be a happier Christmas after all'. A summary of the deal was published on the Government's website at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve. Nigel Farage  signalled his early support before the full 500-page text emerged suggesting he would vote for the package 'in principle' if he were an MP.   In a move that effectively guarantees the PM victory, Sir Keir has risked the wrath of his Remain-backing benches by announci