Huge rise in Tube drivers off work

Absenteeism among Tube drivers is at its highest level for 10 years, new figures reveal. The lack of staff is causing severe problems for tens of thousands of commuters with trains regularly cancelled on the Circle and District lines because there are not enough drivers to run the full schedule.

The situation is so bad on the Circle line that station staf f keep notices ready warning passengers of cancellations.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Tom Brake has demanded a full investigation. He revealed the figures after asking a question in the Commons.

The figures, supplied by London Underground, show that during last year there was an absentee rate of seven staff members for every 100 train staff.

This compared with just over five off work for every 100 a decade ago.