London tube drivers strike on Boxing Day

As drivers belonging to the Aslef union began their strike this morning leaving the underground lines shut, Labour accused the government coalition of "hypocrisy" for failing to ensure a rail service on Boxing Day transport spokesman John Woodcock saying that in opposition the Conservatives routinely attacked Labour for forcing families and sports fans on to the roads by failing to provide trains the day after Christmas.

But he said that ministers had done "nothing" in office to encourage operators to run a Boxing Day service.

London Underground and Transport for London said they would be doing their best to keep services running on Boxing Day, with replacement bus services put in place in busy shopping areas.

The union is arguing that choosing to work on Boxing Day should be voluntary and drivers who agree to do so should be paid extra as well as getting an extra day off.

The strike is expected to affect Boxing Day shoppers and football fans. Arsenal have already moved their Premier League game with Wolves to 27 December because of the strike.