New transport minister Claire Perry has pledged to ensure rail fares do not rise above inflation until at least 2016.

Speaking to The Express, Ms Perry vowed to lobby chancellor George Osborne to make sure passengers do not suffer inflation-busting fare hikes in years to come. Plans to increase prices by one per cent above inflation were scrapped by Mr Osborne in his autumn statement.

Preventing such increases next year would save an average of £25 for more than 250,000 annual season ticket holders.

However, the new transport minister admitted price hikes may be necessary in the north from 2016 to improve services there.

Upgrades to the Northern Hub network could create up to 20,000 jobs and boost the regional economy by billions of pounds.

Ms Perry said: "I feel we are on the cusp of another rail renaissance as the result of the decisions that have been made."