Brexit is responsible for the increase in rail fares, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Wokingham in the 2017 General Election has claimed.

Yesterday it was announced rail fares would increase by 3.6 per cent next year. 

For commuters in Wokingham that is a £163 increase for season ticket holders, and a £128 hike for those travelling from Bracknell to Waterloo.

Clive Jones, Wokingham Lib Dem leader and the party's Parliamentary Spokesperson in the town, thinks the rise is the fault of Brexit.

He said: "Brexit is good for train operators but bad for commuters. Train operators profits are likely to increase by £350m without them having to do anything extra, a nice little windfall for them.

"Trains will continue to be overcrowded, often untidy and all too often late."

Mr Jones noted that rail fare rises are linked to the rate of inflation.

The increase in the rate of inflation announced yesterday, he argues, is a direct result of the devaluation of Sterling since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

"Sadly I think there will be more increases in inflation in the coming months as retailers and manufacturers all increase their prices because of the weakness of our currency," Mr Jones concluded.