The first 2,000 could go by 2015 with Tube ticket offices replaced by ‘travel centres’, mainly at major stations such as Waterloo and Euston, the union said.

"Boris had better rethink if he thinks he can sacrifice six thousand Londoners’ jobs on his Long March to Downing Street," said Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union. "We have a deal with TfL, which clearly rules out compulsory redundancies. If he tears that up, all bets are off."