An MP has blasted plans to hike rail fares, claiming it will be a “slap in the face” for commuters.

Today, the government confirmed rail fares will go up by another 3.2 per cent in January, meaning the cost of some season tickets will increase by hundreds of pounds.

The rise will be less than the hike seen in January this year, which was the steepest increase for five years.

The issue of fares on journeys provided by Southeastern, will interest many as a new franchise operator for south London and Kent is due to be announced later this year.

The increase will come off the back of a year of disruption for many commuters following timetable overhauls in May.

Bob Neill, Conservative MP for Chislehurst and Bromley, spoke out at the time over Southeastern’s timetable changes.

Mr Neill has now criticised plans to make commuters’ lives more expensive in January.

He said: “After a summer of delays and cancellations following the botched timetable revision, raising fares now would be a slap in the face for those of us who regularly travel by rail, and would be particularly hard-felt in areas like ours where the franchise has in effect a monopoly supply.

“Fares should reflect the level of service being delivered, which quite clearly hasn’t met expectations for some time.

“The Government needs to show it’s on the side of passengers; an increase would send completely the wrong message.”

Research by the Trades Union Congress has suggested the cost of rail travel has increased more than twice as fast as wages have in the last decade.

Increases are based on rises in inflation measured against the Retail Price Index.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the railway industry, said: “Fares are underpinning a once-in-a-generation investment plan to improve the railway and politicians effectively determine that season ticket prices should change in line with other day-to-day costs to help fund this.

“While the industry is learning lessons from the recent timetable change, major improvements have been delivered this year from upgraded stations at London Bridge and Liverpool Lime Street to new trains in the South West and Scotland and more will be delivered in the next year.

“We understand that aspects of the current fares system are frustrating for people which is why as part of the industry’s plan, train companies are also leading a consultation to update regulation and improve the range of fares on offer, making the system simpler and easier to use for customers.”

The increase comes days after London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for Transport for London to be awarded the franchise for Southeastern’s metro services.

He said: “These passengers deserve so much better than they are currently getting and I believe now is the time for a fresh start.

“The Government could make the most of this delay by working with me to put passengers first by transferring responsibility for contracting these Metro services to TfL.”

The Campaign for Better Transport pressure group has urged the government to freeze rail fares.