The launch of the 24-hour Tube will be delayed until later in the autumn.

The Night Tube, which will cover the Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Central and Jubilee lines on weekends, was due to launch on September 12.

Although no new date has been announced, London Underground said it will allow more time for talks with unions to reach a deal over pay and conditions.

Two strikes by Tube workers took place in July and August over the introduction of the 24-hour service.

A further two strikes planned for this week were called off on Monday evening, although further industrial action is due to take place in September.

London Underground managing director Nick Brown said: “Further to the progress made in recent days with the trade unions and the suspension of strike action, we believe we are not far from an agreement that protects the work-life balance of our employees and is affordable, sustainable and fair.

“As such, we have decided to defer the introduction of Night Tube to allow more time for those talks to conclude. Our objective is to reach an agreement that ends this dispute and delivers the Night Tube for Londoners this autumn.”

Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, which represents four out of five Tube drivers, said: “We welcome this decision by London Underground, which gives us all the time and space to negotiate properly on the introduction of the Night Tube in the capital.

“ASLEF believes that a world-class capital city like London needs a 24-hour Tube service. But not at the expense of the work/life balance of our members. It has to be done in a way that works for London Underground, for passengers, and also for the drivers who deliver this service every day.”