Minimum age for train drivers being lowered to 18 to address shortage

"If I could go back and talk to my 18 year old self, I'd force myself into the railway," said Ben Warner, a recently qualified train driver.Mr Warner, who works for Great Western Railway (GWR), is nearly 40 but from December could find himself surrounded by teenagers as the minimum age for train drivers has been lowered from 20 to 18, to help with driver shortages.His base is Westbury, Wiltshire, and told the BBC: "Look out of the window - best office in the world."With the changes set to come into place later in the year, we take a look at what is involved with training and qualifying to become a train driver.
Adam Walding is a driving standards manager with GWR - drivers in training get their final tests with him.He explained training is usually about 10 months, including three to four months of theory - covering what everything in the cab does.There is then another process for a few months of sitting with drivers, who will give you "direct instruction, as you progress, that instruction reduces"."You then have a five-day final driving test with somebody like myself."
He said that to get into training at 18, people need to think about their transferable skills: "Start building your CV - what does a train driver do? What do I do?"My first job for example was working in a shop, I used some of the safety examples from that in my interview."Mr Walding said someone's age should not make a difference: "If someone has the right transferable skills, age shouldn't be a barrier."Meanwhile, Mr Warner said he enjoys his work, but admitted it is a "massive responsibility"."The training GWR put us through is so rigorous. My first day as a qualified driver, I felt ready to go, I felt in a really strong position to take the train where it needed to be."
Mr Walding explained that young people who previously wanted to learn at 18 would have had to find another role but now the opportunity is there for them."The more colleagues we have available to us the less likelihood your train will be cancelled because of a lack of train crew," he said.Earlier this month, the government said 87% of cancellations made the night before a service runs were down to driver shortages.The average train driver is aged 48, with 30% due to reach retirement age by 2029, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said lowering the minimum age was about "future-proofing" the railways, adding that it was "bold action to improve train services and unlock thousands of jobs".

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Telegraph

20 minutes ago

• Telegraph

Pro-Palestine nutritionist gives anti-Israel diet advice

A nutritionist is under investigation after calling for the boycott of Israeli dates. Joan Faria, who runs nutrition clinic Empowered Nutrition, shared a recipe for stuffed dates with almond butter dipped in dark chocolate on social media. But the nutritionist wrote at the bottom of her business Facebook post for the recipe: ' Please boycott Israeli dates – if you can find Zaytoun, buy these as they support farmers in Palestine. These dates were Moroccan.' The bottom section of the post has since been deleted after Ms Faria was requested remove the remarks by the professional body for nutritionists – the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT). UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) complained to BANT, claiming Ms Faria breached their code of conduct, which states that members should conduct themselves in an 'honourable and courteous manner' and should be a 'professional and independent health specialist'. BANT said they requested that Ms Faria remove the section of her post mentioning the boycott and would be 'reinforcing their professional standards'. 'Unsolicited advice' The letter from UKLFI to BANT, seen by The Telegraph, claimed: 'We believe that by urging a boycott of Israeli dates brings BANT into disrepute. Ms Faria has not demonstrated an honourable and courteous manner, in particular to any Jewish, Israeli or Zionist clients or others who may follow her, or who may see her Facebook post.' It adds: 'By urging people to boycott Israeli dates, Ms Faria has offered unsolicited advice, which is not appropriate for a nutritionist.' The letter also claimed the nutritionist breached Section 29 of the 2010 Equality Act, which states: 'A service-provider must not, in relation to the provision of the service: Harass a person requiring the service, or a person to whom the service-provider provides the service.' The letter adds: 'Ms Faria is creating a hostile and offensive environment for any Jewish, Israeli or Zionist clients or potential clients, by expressing her hostility to Israeli-produced dates and commanding her followers to boycott them.' The letter also pointed out that Jews, Israelis and Zionists have protected characteristics of race, religion or belief according to Section 4 of the 2010 legislation. UKLFI also complained to the regulator, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), who told The Telegraph they had 'launched an investigation into the complaint' which was at an 'early stage'. 'She is not prioritising the health of her patients' In a second letter to the CNHC, UKLFI claimed Ms Faria was breaching their code of conduct by not 'respecting privacy and dignity', not following a 'legal duty to promote equality' and not 'avoiding unfair discrimination'. The letter said: 'If Ms Faria is allowing her own beliefs and values to prejudice her clients' care and wellbeing, she is discriminating against products of Israel, for no nutritional or health-based reason. 'She is likely to discriminate against other Israeli products and medicines, which may be the detriment of her patients. 'She is not prioritising the health of her patients, but instead prioritising her own political position. 'If she feels so strongly about her political cause that she boycotts Israeli products on her professional social media pages, she is also likely to treat Israeli or Jewish patients in a less favourable manner.' The boycott calls also drew condemnation from other Jewish groups, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism saying: 'A nutritionist should not be injecting her own inflammatory politics into dietary advice. 'Boycotts like this have real-world effects on the Jewish community. 'The regulator is absolutely right to take this seriously, and we will monitor the outcome with interest.' 'Putting political interests before those of patients' Russell Langer, director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council, added to The Telegraph: 'Over the past 20 months, far too many workplaces, including those responsible for the welfare of Jewish and Israeli clients, have seen attempts to import a foreign conflict to the detriment of community cohesion. 'We therefore welcome BANT's confirmation that they will reinforce their professional standards and not allow their members to promote divisive boycotts of Israel in their work.' Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said: 'We are pleased that the regulatory bodies for nutritionists are tackling the issue of boycotts and appear to be cracking down on any members who advocate boycotting Israeli food or other items, putting their own political interests before those of their clients and patients.' Israel is a significant exporter of dates, with Medjool dates being a prominent variety. Exports were worth over £174m in 2023, with the UK being a key export destination. 'Always check the label' Various groups, such as the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), have launched boycott campaigns and guidance, saying dates should only be bought from Palestinian sources. One bit of PSC guidance says: 'Always check the label when buying dates. Don't buy dates that are produced or packaged in Israel or its West Bank settlements. If no country of origin can be found on the box, check the retailer's website.' Last month, Co-op members urged the retailer to stop selling Israeli products as soon as this summer. Three-quarters of voters backed a motion urging the board to show 'moral courage and leadership' by removing Israeli products from its shelves. Responding to the result, the Co-op announced at its annual general meeting that the motion was advisory, but confirmed it was reviewing its sourcing policy. The CNHC added: 'CNHC Registrants have a legal duty to promote equality and must make sure that their own beliefs and values do not prejudice their clients' care and wellbeing.' A spokesman said: 'The Registrant has been invited to provide her written representations in response to the Complaint.' Ms Faria said: 'Because the CNHC investigation is at an early stage and ongoing, I will not be responding at this stage.'

The Sun

20 minutes ago

• The Sun

Reform on course to win next election with over a third of voters backing Nigel Farage, bombshell new poll reveals

REFORM are on track to win the next election, according to a new poll. More than a third of voters said they will support Nigel Farage's party, as reported by the Telegraph. Figures revealed 34 per cent of poll takers voted for Reform, ahead of 25 per cent who were in favour of Labour. It also emerged only 15 per cent of users elected the Conservatives. This marks the biggest breakthrough for Reform in a poll and in response Mr Farage told The Telegraph: 'This poll shows Reform can and will win the next general election.' The news outlet estimated if the poll was taken in four years time, Farage would win more than 400 seats and a majority. It could see the party leader win his place as the UK's next Prime Minister. The research also suggested Labour would lose around 270 seats, while the Conservatives would have less than 10. Despite the stats, it is important to bare in mind opinion polls and seat numbers are very hard to correlate. A Reform UK source said: 'This is big Reform majority territory.' Meanwhile, Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said: 'The last year has indeed been a long time in politics, with our first voting intention poll since the election showing just how much the political landscape has transformed since then. 'Reform UK has continued to build on its success, helped by high levels of enthusiasm among its own support and among working class voters in particular, and taking votes from both Labour and especially the Conservatives, who show little sign of recovery.' He added: 'The disappointment with Labour is clear, even among those who voted for the party in 2024. "We know from Ipsos research how difficult it has been to shift entrenched public pessimism over the cost of living, immigration, and the state of public services, and so far, Britons do not think Labour is delivering the tangible change they were hoping for in 2024. "This is reflected in satisfaction ratings for the government and Prime Minister that - while not quite the worst Ipsos has ever seen - are well below the average we usually see coming up to a one year anniversary. "Indeed, they look remarkably similar to the poor ratings received by Gordon Brown in 2008 after the financial crash. Labour will be hoping that the Spending Review will start to switch the narrative to a more positive one of renewal, but the challenge they face is significant. "This research also marks a new methodological approach for Ipsos, using our online KnowledgePanel based on gold-standard random probability sampling, and other changes we have made since the general election. "As with any individual survey it is important to remember that margins of error apply, and results should be interpreted in the round along with other sources of data. "As always, Ipsos will continue to review this new approach, and may make further refinements in the future if necessary." 1 is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

BBC News

34 minutes ago

• BBC News

Cheltenham in takeover talks with ex-Burnley chairman

Former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick has entered into a period of exclusivity with Cheltenham Town over a potential takeover of the League Two Robins announced in October last year that they were looking for "substantial" investment., externalGarlick left the Burnley board in 2023 after 17 years at Turf Moor, including eight as club chairman during which time the Clarets twice won promotion to the Premier 61-year-old also owns Gibraltar top-flight club St Joseph's and third tier Spanish side FC finished 15th in the fourth tier last season. In a statement on the club website,, external Cheltenham said their principal shareholders had "signed a letter of intent including a period of exclusivity" with Garlick."The board and principal shareholders have worked tirelessly over the last nine months to find the right investor who can secure the financial future of the club whilst at the same recognising and maintaining its identity and community values," said chairman David Bloxham."We are delighted to enter into a period of exclusivity with Mike Garlick and believe his interest in the club will herald an exciting future for the club and its fans."In October, Bloxham said three of the club's four biggest shareholders were willing to sell their stakes if the "right" new investment was found.