Passengers using Northern will be eligible for enhanced compensation for train delays from this December, Rail Minister Jo Johnson announced.

Attending the Transport for the North Board in Sheffield, Mr Johnson unveiled plans by the operator to extend the existing Delay Repay compensation scheme to include delays of 15 minutes and longer. Currently, passengers, including those using the Furness Line and Lakes Line, can claim compensation if their train is at least 30 minutes late.

Mr Johnson said: “Passengers deserve a reliable train service, and when things do go wrong it is vital that they are compensated fairly. We are committed to working with train companies to make it as easy as possible for passengers to claim their compensation."

The extension comes on top of the compensation package announced for Northern and TransPennine Express passengers who experienced disruption following timetable changes in summer.