Threatened strike action by ScotRail staff has been put on hold after a new pay offer.

The train drivers’ union Aslef has announced its ballot for industrial action has been withdrawn and members have been asked to vote on the offer.

It follows “constructive” talks between the company and unions in recent weeks.

An emergency timetable with a reduced number of services will continue in the meantime.

The publicly-owned firm was embroiled in a long-running dispute with unions in the summer of 2022 which saw overtime bans and full strikes across the network in Scotland.

Details of the new pay offer have not been made public but it is understood all staff would get a 4.5% rise, backdated to April.

ScotRail’s service delivery director Mark Ilderton said they were “pleased that we’ve been able to reach this position”.

“The talks with trade union colleagues have been very constructive and it is a fantastic step forward with ASLEF withdrawing the ballot for industrial action and moving forward with a member referendum on the pay offer,” he said.

He encouraged colleagues to support the offer.

“We recognise the hard work of our colleagues, and the cost-of-living challenges faced by families across the country and believe that the pay offer reflects this, as well as providing value for money for the public finances,” he added.

ScotRail has been operating a reduced service since July, when a number of drivers stopped working extra Sunday shifts and overtime in the pay dispute,

About 600 services were cut under the provisional measures, leaving 1,660 trains operating between Mondays and Saturdays.

Peak-time services in the morning and late afternoon were halved from four trains per hour to two.

Caledonian Sleeper services would also have been impacted by strike action.

ASLEF, RMT and TSSA have been approached for comment