Rail fares rise by 4.6% in England and Wales

Campaigners say if government can find money to freeze fuel duty for motorists they can do similar for railways

Rail passengers in England and Wales face a steep increase in the cost of travel from Sunday, with fares rising by 4.6% and most railcards going up by 5.

The government said the rise is needed because of the dire financial state of the railway, but transport campaigners contrasted it with Labour prolonging the freeze on fuel duty for motorists.