The group is set for around an extra £8 million a year in costs from April’s higher national insurance contributions and minimum wage rise.

Strike action by drivers at Stagecoach West Scotland will be suspended from 3pm on Wednesday while a new pay offer is put to an all-members ballot.

It is alleged that 46 million shoppers were ripped off after fees were wrongly levied on transactions made over a 15-year period between 1992 ...