Regulated rail fares will go up by 1.9% next year.

The increase is linked to July's Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which was confirmed by the Office for National Statistics.

Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities.

Research by the TUC and the Action For Rail union campaign showed that fares have risen by double the speed of wages since 2010.

The analysis revealed that fares have increased by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12%.

A series of protests were held at railway stations across the country by trade unions on Tuesday morning.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a placard which read "2017 rip off central" at a demonstration outside London Bridge station.

Asked how much it would cost to implement his policy of renationalising the railways, he replied: "The cost would be not very much because we would be taking over the franchises as they ran out and handing them over to direct rail to run as train companies."

As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady commented: "Rail passengers are paying more and getting even less.

"Fares go up while trains remain overcrowded, stations are unstaffed, and rail companies cut the guards who ensure journeys run smoothly and safely.

"It's time for rail services to be publicly owned, saving money for passengers and taxpayers alike.

"Instead of increasing fares and cutting staff, we should be building an accessible, reliable train service that Britain can be proud of."

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said the increase in ticket prices would be "particularly galling" for commuters using Southern Railway.

Many of the operator's services have been delayed or cancelled for weeks because of a dispute over changes to the role of conductors and staff shortages - blamed by the company on high levels of staff sickness.

Ms Lucas went on: "Southern fares should be frozen immediately, so passengers are not paying growing amounts for a deteriorating service."

Paul Plummer, chief executive at the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, said: "Nobody wants to pay more to travel to work and at the moment in some areas people aren't getting the service they are paying for, and we know how frustrating that is.

"But increases to season tickets are set by Government. For every pound paid in fares, 97p goes back into running and improving services and it's our job to make sure that money is spent well."

Passenger group Transport Focus called for Southern Railway fares to be frozen and for the introduction of changes to compensation rules.

The organisation's chief executive, Anthony Smith, said: "For some rail passengers any fare rise is going to feel unfair. Many commuters, in London and the South East in particular, have been suffering poor performance and rising prices will seem wrong.

"Transport Focus is calling for Government to freeze fare increases for Southern passengers, and to quickly introduce the promised 15-minute Delay Repay trigger and one-off compensation for badly affected passengers.

"Passengers are playing their part by pouring over £9 billion into the industry each year. The industry must now deliver on its promises of much more consistent, better performance."

Rail minister Paul Maynard said: "Wages are growing faster than train ticket prices thanks to action by the Government and our commitment to cap regulated rail fares in line with inflation will save annual season ticket holders £425 on average in the five years to 2020.

"Passengers want more reliable journeys in comfort and with better facilities. That is why we are investing record amounts in our railways, delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century, providing more seats, more services, wi-fi and air conditioning."