The RMT union has announced that its train drivers will embark on industrial action in protest against safety standards on the London Underground.

On the day of the victorious England rugby team's parade on Monday and Tuesday next week, union members will drive trains at maximum speeds of 25mph instead of 65mph.

Simon Hughes, mayoral candidate, said: "Of course the safety of passengers on the Tube must be paramount, but this go-slow announcement is yet another kick in the teeth for London and Londoners. Further Tube chaos will be bad for commuters, bad for business and bad for the image of London.

"Coming so close to Christmas and so soon after the massive disruption to the capital during the Bush visit, Londoners face a wretched run up to the festive season.

"The RMT and TfL must urgently sit down and sort out their differences without making the lives of millions a misery."

Damian Green, shadow transport secretary, said: "The decision to 'go slow' on the day the England team is holding a procession to celebrate their World Cup victory is particularly disappointing. This will no doubt cause major disruption in the city and will annoy those wishing to attend the celebrations.

"I am appalled that the RMT have decided to go ahead with this strike action. Many people are concerned about safety issues on London Underground lines but staging a 'go slow' is not the answer.

Forum Response: Corporation of London

Michael Snyder, chairman of the policy and resources committee at the Corporation of London, said: "The RMT plans for industrial action on the tube are entirely unjustified, unacceptable and unnecessary.

"Genuine safety concerns are shared by all and should be settled round a meeting table, not by disrupting the working lives of millions of Londoners, who already have a tough enough time getting to and from work each day.

"Bob Crow and the RMT are just endlessly looking for excuses to hold industrial action and strikes on the underground, without any concern at all for the welfare of Londoners.

"If they genuinely want to improve safety on the Tube, not just again disrupt London, they should keep working normally and launch a campaign for support for genuine safety improvements. That would show that they mean what they say about safety: they may be surprised at the support they would get."