Rail passengers will be able to claim a refund on tickets if firms fail to provide adequate wifi and seating under new Westminster compensation plans.

The Department of Transport has launched a public consultation to overhaul the rules on consumer rights that would allow such refunds from rail firms across the UK.

Under the plans passengers would be able to get their money back in part or in full if the service promised when they bought the ticket was not provided.

The DfT said: "For example, if a passenger had paid for a first class ticket but no first class accommodation was available, or they had been promised an onboard wifi service that was not available, they would be able to make a claim for a price reduction which, in appropriate circumstances, could be up to a full refund.

"Transport users, like other consumers, have the right to expect that they can get things put right if services are not delivered to the standard they expect."

New Consumer Rights legislation will boost travellers legal position if the service is inadequate but overlaps with some existing regulations and the DFT believes this could be confusing.

The consultation is designed to provide a clear compensation structure for all service shortcomings.

The DfT added: "Transport users are entitled to clarity, and providers have a duty to be clear, about which rules and schemes should apply when things go wrong.

"Consumers need to know how to make a claim, and what they are entitled to.

"For providers, confusion over the law could lead to greater costs, which may be passed on to consumers and, in the case of rail, the taxpayer."

Some rail firms already operate a delay repayment system with set rates.

The consultation would affect firms including Virgin Trains West Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast and Scotrail.

Concerns were raised over the Edinburgh to Glasgow service since Abellio took over the multi-billion pound ScotRail franchise to run Scotland's train services.

The firm has set the benchmark by pledging to invest in the Scottish service with plans to introduce high-speed trains on services including Aberdeen and Inverness, free wifi on trains and nearly one-quarter more carriages across the network.

A ScotRail spokeswoman earlier countered the concerns assurances that planned new electric trains will provide additional capacity and wifi plans are also on course.