Strike news – live: Airport and border force strike adds to Christmas travel chaos

Customs workers have voted to strike at major airports over Christmas, threatening further travel chaos during the busy holiday period.

The PCS union said around 1,000 border force officials at passport control would walk over a pay and jobs dispute from 23 to 26 December and again between 28 and 31 December at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff.

Union boss Mark Serwokta admitted the airport strikes would have a “significant impact” on Britons’ travel plans.

Meanwhile, emergency workers could face additional restrictions on their right to strike, after Rishi Sunak declared his intention to impose “tough new laws” to tackle industrial action.

Aides did not rule out the possibility that this could include a ban on walkouts by ambulance staff and other emergency workers, or the extension of proposed minimum service level legislation to cover the whole public sector.

Mr Sunak’s comment came a day after the GMB, Unison and Unite unions announced co-ordinated strikes by NHS staff including ambulance workers on 21 and 28 December.

Key Points

• Airport staff to strike for eight days over Christmas

• Sunak threatens new laws against emergency worker strikes

• Government not willing to improve pay offer to striking workers, says minister

• Ambulances won’t respond if elderly fall during strikes, health secretary warns

• Nurses, trains and Royal Mail: Every strike planned in run up to Christmas

Rishi Sunak says rejected pay settlements are ‘reasonable’

19:30 , Liam James

Rishi Sunak said the government was offering reasonable pay increases to workers, despite the wave of strikes rejecting those offers.

The prime minister was asked by ITV if ministers would reconsider their stance on pay increases after the Scottish government upped its offer to nurses threatening to strike.

He said “we are trying to act reasonably” and pointed to the independent pay review bodies that recommend the level of public sector wage increases.

“We’ve accepted their recommendations in full and the most important thing we can do to help people is to control inflation. We’ve got to reduce inflation.

“That’s what’s making life difficult for nurses and for everyone else in the country.”

Interviewer Emily Morgan interjected to say several sectors were striking besides nurses, including airport and rail workers. She asked: “How long can you go on like this without offering more money to them? I mean, Britain is going to be in gridlock?”

Mr Sunak repeated that the government was trying to act reasonably and respecting the independent reviews, going on to accuse union leaders of being unreasonable.

Train drivers vote to continue strikes

18:30 , Liam James

Train drivers at 12 rail companies have voted overwhelmingly to continue strike action in a long-running row over pay.

Aslef, which represents most of Britain’s train drivers, said 93 per cent of members voted in favour of further action after four years without a pay rise.

The companies affected include:

• Avanti West Coast

• CrossCountry

• Great Western Railway

• Greater Anglia

• GTR Great Northern Thameslink

• London North Eastern Railway

• Southeastern

• Southern/Gatwick Express

• South Western Railway (depot drivers only)

• SWR Island Line

• West Midlands Trains

Aslef has held five one-day strikes this year so far, the latest on 26 November.

Moonpig grapples with the fallout from this Tory winter of discontent. There will be many more like it | Comment

17:40 , Liam James

From James Moore, chief business commentator, on the card company’s postal woes:

Why buy a card if you can’t bank on it getting to the recipient?

This is the problem (beyond its control) facing Moonpig, the online greeting card and gift company, which has just slashed its full-year revenue forecast from £350m to £320m.

The group repeatedly used the word “resilient” in its half-year results, which is usually code for “it’s really, really tough out there”. And it is. First-half profits took a tumble while uncertainty clouds the company’s future prospects.

It made much of its rich trove of data, its loyal customers, and the success of the 79 million or so reminders it sends out around occasions when they might like to buy stuff.

It’s also doing some sensible things, notably “deleveraging”, which is one of those horrid City slang words executives love to use. As you’re probably aware, it means “cutting debt”, which is exactly what you should do when winter is coming.

The City, however, wasn’t buying it. The shares recorded a double-figure percentage fall as investors rushed for the exit.

The problem was as obvious to them as it is to the company’s customers. Delivery is out of Moonpig’s hands. The Royal Mail – which puts the company’s cards through the doors of their recipients – is wracked by the strikes that are casting a pall over multiple businesses, services and sectors.

Moonpig grapples with the fallout from this winter of discontent | James Moore

Prepare for travel chaos, says Home Office

16:42 , Liam James

Passengers hoping to take flights over Christmas should “be prepared for disruption,” the Home Office said as airport workers announced several days of strikes over the holiday period.

Union bosses admitted the strikes would interfere with some journeys, while a concurrent railway strike threatens to add to travel woes.

The government said it was prepared to replace striking airport staff with soldiers but warned disruption would not be avoided.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are disappointed at the union’s decision to strike on the proposed dates which will cause an inconvenience to the public and businesses.

“We are working closely with all UK ports and airports and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays if strike action goes ahead. However, passengers should be prepared for disruption.

“Those intending to travel over strike days should plan ahead and contact relevant travel operators before travelling to check how the proposed strike action will affect their journey.”

Around 1,000 border force staff from the Public and Commercial Services Union are expected to walk out from 23-26 and 28-31 December in a row over jobs and pay, after voting to reject a 2 per cent pay rise.

Airport strike will be disruptive, union boss admits

16:18 , Liam James

Strikes by airport staff will have a “significant impact” on Christmas travel, the workers’ union boss has admitted.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said around 1,000 passport control officials will walk out from 23-26 and 28-31 of December.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the strike will have a “significant impact” on travel plans over the holiday period.

Despite this, he warned the government not to bring in the military to cover for striking workers, saying there was not enough time to train them properly.

Transport minister Baroness Vere said Army personnel had already been trained and would be used to ensure airports stay open.

The latest PCS strike, which calls for a 10 per cent pay rise and job and pension settlements, will come as railway workers walk out in a similar dispute.

Tory MP who attacked Marcus Rashford can ‘f*** off’, says Labour’s Rachel Reeves

16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Tory MP who criticised England star Marcus Rashford over his campaigning work on food poverty can “f*** off”.

Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke apologised last year after suggesting the Manchester United player should have spent more time “perfecting his game” rather than “playing politics”.

The tweet came after Rashford – who has urged the government to expand free school meals – missed a penalty in the Euro 2020 final.

Ms Reeves was scathing about Ms Elphicke and Tory policy on schools during the latest episode of Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast.

Adam Forrest reports:

Tory MP who attacked Marcus Rashford can ‘f*** off’, says Rachel Reeves

UK strikes timeline: How December’s industrial action will affect you

15:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britain has had a difficult time of it in 2022, emerging from two years in the grip of the coronavirus only to be confronted by a dire cost of living crisis defined by runaway inflation and rocketing energy bills exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Now, as Christmas approaches, we find ourselves in a new “winter of discontent” with the country’s unions, representing workers from a wide range of public-facing professions, concluding that they have no choice but to undertake industrial action as their calls for improved pay and working conditions go unanswered while rising prices erode earnings.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has organised strike days throughout December and into January, as 40,000 workers down tools at one of the busiest periods of the year in a bid to force improved terms.

Joe Sommerlad has more:

Dates of all the strikes happening in December from rail workers to nurses

Airport staff to strike for eight days over Christmas

15:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Customs officials at major airports have voted to strike for eight days over Christmas and New Year.

Border Force staff will walk out from 23-26 and 28-31 December.

Keep up with this breaking news story here:

Airport staff to strike for eight days over Christmas

Matt Hancock not standing as MP at next election

15:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Matt Hancock has said that he will not stand as an MP at the next election and will instead find “new ways to reach people” who are disengaged with politics.

In a letter to prime minister Rishi Sunak, Mr Hancock said that he wanted “to do things differently” and find “new ways for me to communicate with people”.

Mr Hancock, who was recently one of the final three contestants on reality show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, said that he has realised there are different ways to “reach people” - other than representing them in parliament.

Matt Hancock not standing as MP at next election

London bus drivers’ strike called off after improved pay offer

15:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Industrial action involving more than 2,000 bus drivers in London has been called off after the workers accepted an improved pay offer.

Unite said its members, employed by Metroline, have accepted an 11% pay increase, which the union said was a “significant improvement” on the 4% drivers were originally offered.

As a result of the workers accepting the improved offer, the planned strike action for later this month has been called off.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant victory for our members at Metroline who by standing together and being prepared to take industrial action, have secured a greatly improved pay offer.

“This pay deal exemplifies how Unite’s commitment to always prioritise the jobs, pay and conditions of its members is delivering noteworthy financial dividends.”

Unite regional officer Laura Johnson said: “From the outset, Unite members were aware that Metroline could afford a better pay rise than it was offering and once our members announced strike action, fresh negotiations were held and an improved offer was made.”

Emergency workers could face curbs on strike action, as Rishi Sunak promises ‘tough new laws’

14:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Emergency workers could face additional restrictions on their right to strike, after Rishi Sunak declared his intention to impose “tough new laws” to tackle industrial action.

Aides did not rule out the possibility that this could include a ban on walkouts by ambulance staff and other emergency workers, or the extension of proposed minimum service level legislation to cover the whole public sector.

Mr Sunak’s comment came a day after the GMB, Unison and Unite unions announced co-ordinated strikes by NHS staff including ambulance workers on 21 and 28 December.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Emergency workers could face curbs on strikes, as Sunak promises ‘tough new laws’

Emergency workers could face curbs on strike action, as Rishi Sunak promises ‘tough new laws’

14:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Emergency workers could face additional restrictions on their right to strike, after Rishi Sunak declared his intention to impose “tough new laws” to tackle industrial action.

Aides did not rule out the possibility that this could include a ban on walkouts by ambulance staff and other emergency workers, or the extension of proposed minimum service level legislation to cover the whole public sector.

Mr Sunak’s comment came a day after the GMB, Unison and Unite unions announced co-ordinated strikes by NHS staff including ambulance workers on 21 and 28 December.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Emergency workers could face curbs on strikes, as Sunak promises ‘tough new laws’

Albanian ambassador hits out at ‘campaign of discrimination’ amid small boats row

14:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Albania’s ambassador to the UK has called for a “campaign of discrimination” to stop amid a political row over small boat crossings.

The home secretary is considering new measures to reduce the number of Albanians crossing the English Channel, after they became the largest nationality arriving on dinghies.

National Crime Agency officials have said that the route has become a means of staffing the “criminal marketplace” after replacing other forms of clandestine entry.

Giving evidence to parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, ambassador Qirjako Qirko said Albanians contributed to British society and should not be unfairly portrayed.

Our home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Albanian children ‘bullied in UK schools’ amid small boats row

Tory MP claims mRNA vaccines are ‘experimental'

14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Conservative MP has claimed mRNA vaccines are “experimental” and urged the prime minister to overturn the health regulator’s decision to authorise the vaccines for infants as young as six months.

Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, said: “There have been more reported deaths and adverse reactions following mRNA vaccination in 18 months than there has been to every conventional vaccine administered worldwide for the last 50 years.

“Given that mRNA vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, would my right honourable friend overturn the big pharma-funded MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)’s recent recommendation that these experimental vaccines are administered to children as young as six months of age?”

Rishi Sunak replied: “Let me first say that I believe Covid vaccines are indeed safe and effective. But no vaccine, Covid or otherwise, will be approved unless it meets the UK regulator standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

“We have an independent body that JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) determines which age groups the vaccine is recommended for use in and as part of the vaccination programme. And, of course, the ultimate decision will lie with parents.”

Former Tory minister cheered as he rose at PMQs

13:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Conservative former minister Conor Burns was cheered on by Tory MPs as he rose to speak at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Burns was sacked as a trade minister by Liz Truss and lost the whip, but recently had it restored after being cleared of misconduct.

He told the Commons: “Mr Speaker, can I thank you and colleagues across the House for your kindness and encouragement in recent weeks.

“Can I ask my right honourable friend the Prime Minister this afternoon to recommit the Government he leads to our ambition of levelling up communities in every part of our great United Kingdom?

“To that end, can I invite my right honourable friend to come and visit my Bournemouth West constituency and see the latest school rebuild, the multi-million pound rebuild of the Oak Academy, which will stand as a lasting tribute of opportunity to the people I have the privilege of serving in this House.”

Rishi Sunak replied: “Can I say that it’s very nice to hear from my right honourable friend today and he’s absolutely right. There is no better way to spread opportunity around the country than by investing in our children’s future.”

PM urged to back Labour MP’s amendment to the Financial Services and Markets Bill

13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has been urged to back a Labour MP’s amendment to the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which has cross-party support, that would ensure “that everyone has free access to their hard-earned money”.

Labour’s Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) told the Commons: “Members across this House know the devastating impact of bank branch closures on our communities. But as banks flee the high streets, our free cash machines disappear with them, cutting the most vulnerable hardest. Surely it cannot be right that a quarter of ATMs charge people to access their own money.

“So, will the Prime Minister join dozens of his own backbenchers today in backing my cross-party amendment and ensure that everyone has free access to their hard-earned money?”

The Prime Minister replied: “This Government is indeed legislating to safeguard access to cash and that’s what the Financial Services and Markets Bill this afternoon will do through a very significant intervention.

“I’m also pleased that we put in place initiatives with the industry to subsidise free-to-use ATMs in deprived areas and almost 50 communities are benefiting from our new shared cash facilities because access to cash is important. That’s what our new Bill will deliver.”

Rishi Sunak is ‘blancmange’ PM who sold out aspiring homeowners, says Starmer

13:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of being a “blancmange” prime minister who has “wobbled” over a Tory revolt on mandatory housebuilding targets.

The Labour leader said the PM had “sold out” aspiring homeowners after the government watered down local targets to avoid the first major Commons defeat premiership.

Sir Keir used PMQs to question why Mr Sunak would rather “cripple housebuilding” than accept Labour support to get more homes built.

“His backbenchers threatened him, and as always the blancmange PM wobbled,” he said. “He did a grubby deal with a handful of MPs … sold out aspirations of those who want to own their own home.”

Adam Forrest reports:

Rishi Sunak is ‘blancmange’ PM who wobbled on housebuilding, says Starmer

Strep A: PM gives advice to parents

12:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

On Strep A infections, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’ve been very happy to work with the Government on this, so can he take the opportunity to update the country on the measures the country is taking to keep children safe this winter?”

Rishi Sunak replied: “We are seeing a higher number of cases from Strep A this year compared to usual. What I can say is that the NHS who have sat down to talk about this are working very hard to make sure parents are aware of the symptoms that they should be looking out to (for) because this can be treated appropriately with antibiotics.

“There are no current shortages of drugs available to treat this and there are well-established procedures in place to ensure that that remains the case and the (UKHSA) are monitoring the situation at pace and what they have confirmed is that this is not a new strain of Strep A, so people should be reassured about that.

“There is no reason to believe that it has become more lethal and more resistant to antibiotics, so the most important thing for parents to do is look out for the symptoms and get the treatment that is available for them.”

Stephen Flynn makes his first remarks in PMQs since becoming SNP’s Westminster leader

12:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Stephen Flynn took aim at the Labour Party in his first remarks in the Commons since becoming the SNP’s Westminster leader.

Speaking in the new role for the first time at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Flynn thanked his predecessor before addressing Rishi Sunak, saying: “What does he consider to be the greatest achievement of the Conservative Party in Government since 2019?

“Leaving the single market and customs union, ending freedom of movement, denying Scotland her democracy, or getting the Labour Party to agree with all of the above?”

The Prime Minister said: “May I also congratulate, or join the First Minister, in congratulating the honourable gentleman on his appointment as the Westminster leader of the SNP.”

He added: “The things that we are most proud of in the last couple of years is making sure that we protected this country through the pandemic, with furlough and with the fastest vaccine rollout.”

12:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour’s shadow chancellor also called out the PM for his “surprised” reaction to the Mone allegations.

She tweeted: “A Tory politician got their hands on millions of pounds of taxpayer money and used it for dodgy PPE - and the Prime Minister signed the cheque. Now he acts surprised to hear of it. This is the unacceptable way he treats the hard earned taxes working people pay.”

David Lammy calls out PM on his ‘faux shock’ to Lady Mone allegations

12:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

David Lammy said the prime minister’s reaction to Lady Mone’s allegations is “laughable”.

He tweeted: “Rishi Sunak’s faux ‘shock’ at taxpayers’ cash being handed out to Conservative cronies is laughable. He was Chancellor at the time”

Sunak continues to speak about Lady Mone

12:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Continuing his answer to Sir Keir Starmer about Lady Mone, Rishi Sunak said: “The one thing we know about him is he is a lawyer, he should know there is a process in place. It is right that that process concludes. I hope that it is resolved promptly.”

He added: “I will say one thing, I’ll tell him what is weak.”

After Labour MPs shouted “you!” at the Prime Minister, Mr Sunak continued: “That is not being able to stand up to people.

“Why doesn’t he listen to a former minister in Gordon Brown’s government who just said ‘why does the Labour Party refuse to stand up for workers and businesses like pubs and restaurants who will lose business as a result of the train strikes?”’

He added: “If he is strong, that is what he should do.”

‘Absolutely shocked’: Rishi Sunak turns on Tory peer Michelle Mone over Covid contract allegations

12:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has turned on the scandal-hit Tory peer Michelle Mone, telling MPs he is “absolutely shocked” by the allegations about Covid contracts.

The prime minister also confirmed Baroness Mone has lost the Conservative whip – after she announced a leave of absence from the House of Lords to try to clear her name.

Until now, ministers have declined to comment on the allegations, over lucrative contracts given to the company PPE Medpro, which she recommended to ministers.

Rishi Sunak turns on Tory peer Michelle Mone over allegations

Starmer describes Sunak as a ‘blancmange prime minister'

12:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer has described Rishi Sunak as a “blancmange Prime Minister” who “sold out the aspirations of those who want to own their own home”.

The Labour leader said: “Does he really expect us to believe that the member for Chipping Barnet (Theresa Villiers) and the member for the Isle of Wight (Bob Seely) are cheering him on because he’s going to build more homes?”

Sir Keir added: “I’ll tell him what changed: his backbenchers threatened him. And, as always, the blancmange Prime Minister wobbled. He did a grubby deal with a handful of his MPs and sold out the aspirations of those who want to own their own home. Was it worth it?”

Mr Sunak replied: “As ever, engaging in the petty personality politics, not focused on the substance. Again, let me explain what we’re doing. We’re delivering what I said we would do: we are protecting the character of local communities, we are cracking down on land banking and irresponsible developers. And we are giving people a greater say in their decisions.

“Just this week, on Monday, the honourable gentleman said the Government should be giving people more power and control. Now he seems to be opposing that policy. It’s only Wednesday, I know he flip-flops but, even for him, it’s pretty quick.”

PM vows to ‘take action to protect livelihood of British public’ from strike disruption with tough laws

12:19 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to “take action to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British public” with “tough laws” to protect people from strike disruption if union leaders “continue to be unreasonable”.

Starmer presses PM on decision to climb down on planning reforms

12:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer has pressed the Prime Minister on his decision to climb down on key planks of his planning reforms.

The Labour leader told the Commons: “The Conservative Party promised the country it would build 300,000 houses a year. This week, without asking a single voter, the Prime Minister broke that promise by scrapping mandatory targets. What changed?”

Rishi Sunak replied: “Now the honourable gentleman comes here every week and I know he’s focused on the process and the politics, but I don’t think he has actually taken the time to read the detail of what we are doing to improve our planning system.

“So, let me just explain what we are doing: we are protecting the greenbelt, we are investing millions to develop brownfield sites and we are providing support and protection for local neighbourhood plans.

“Just this morning the shadow housing secretary said, she said, communities should have control over where homes are built and what sort of homes are built. That’s my position. That’s her position. What’s his position?”

No current shortages of drugs to treat Strep A, PM says

12:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Keir Starmer acknowledges the rise of Strep A cases, which has seen several children across the UK die.

The prime minister said his thoughts are with the families of the children who sadly lost their lives.

“There are no current shortages of drugs available to treat this,” the prime minister said.

Sunak ‘absolutely shocked’ by Mone allegations

12:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak said he is “absolutely shocked” by the allegations against Michelle Mone involving her contract with PPE Medpro.

The prime minister said she is “rightly” no longer a Tory whip.

Starmer accuses PM of ‘crippling house building’

12:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Labour leader continued with his challenge on housing targets. He said: “The former housing secretary said scrapping mandatory targets would be a colossal failure of political leadership.

“The author of the manifesto that they all stood on said it would cut builidng by 40 per cent, perhaps even more.

“Why would he rather cripple house building than work with us and get those housing targets through?”

Starmer questions PM on broken promise of building 300,000 affordable homes

12:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Keir Starmer challenged the prime minister on scrapping mandatory targets on the promise to build 300,000 affordable homes.

Sunak to face PMQs at midday

11:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prime minister Rishi Sunak will face the Commons at midday for PMQs against the background of growing strike action ahead of Christmas.

Mark Harper urges RMT to give ‘at least a neutral recommendation’ to members

11:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport secretary Mark Harper has urged rail unions to give “at least a neutral recommendation” when putting offers aimed at resolving industrial disputes to their members.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will press ahead with strikes from next week after it recommended its members should reject the latest offer from Network Rail.

Mr Harper told the Commons Transport Select Committee: “I would still urge the unions to keep talking, put those deals to their members with at least a neutral recommendation, and call off the strikes before Christmas which are going to be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors.

“The government will do what we can to try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking.”

Mr Harper told the committee that more than 60 per cent of the Department for Transport’s spending on capital and revenue is on rail, despite train travel only making up 10% of journey miles.

He added: “I just think we have to get that into a better sense of balance. That’s what we’re trying to do with the unions.”

Transport secretary says Network Rail walkout on Christmas Eve will cause ‘more inconvenience to passengers'

10:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport secretary Mark Harper said the walkout by Network Rail workers between Christmas Eve and December 27 will cause “more inconvenience to passengers” because it means planned maintenance will need to be rescheduled.

He told the Commons Transport Select Committee: “One of the things that Network Rail is now looking at, given the strikes that were called by the RMT on Network Rail, is looking at that £120 million worth of essential maintenance work to see the extent to which that’s affected.

“Of course, even though that may not impact passenger services, it absolutely will affect the reliability of the railway.

“Of course it’s done at Christmas because - although I recognise it sometimes causes inconvenience to people at Christmas - it is done then because that is the least busy time.

“If that work isn’t done at the Christmas period, it means it will have to be done at other times of the year, which will cause more inconvenience to passengers.”

Transport secretary urges rail unions not to recommend members reject offers

09:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport secretary Mark Harper has urged rail unions not to recommend their members reject offers aimed at resolving industrial disputes.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will press ahead with strikes from next week after it recommended its members should reject the latest offer from Network Rail.

Mr Harper told the Commons Transport Select Committee: “My department spends something over 60% of the department’s total spending on capital and revenue on railways, and only 10% of journey miles in the country are on rail.

“I just think we have to get that into a better sense of balance. That’s what we’re trying to do with the unions.

“I would still urge the unions to keep talking, put those deals to their members with at least a neutral recommendation, and call off the strikes before Christmas which are going to be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors.

“The government will do what we can to try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking.”

GMB Union gen sec says people ‘are dying because of cuts'

09:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Gary Smith, General Secretary of the GMB Union, told BBC Breakfast that people “are dying because of cuts” made by the Tory government.

Watch the full clip here:

Steve Barclay says government not willing to improve pay offer to striking workers

08:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Health secretary Steve Barclay has signalled that the government is not willing to improve its pay offer to striking healthcare workers.

Pressed repeatedly on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether the government could come back with a better offer to trade unions, he said there is an independent process for pay recommendations.

The government, he said, is “prioritising getting the balance in terms of pay”.

“We’re looking at all the other things we can do for staff because staff tell me is not simply an issue of pay,” he said.

Asked if he accepts the word “crisis” to describe the NHS, he said: “People can come up with whichever term they want. We all recognise as a result of the pandemic there are huge pressures on the NHS.”

Ambulances won’t respond if elderly fall during strikes, health secretary warns

08:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ambulance paramedics will not respond to a fall at home by an elderly person when they go on strike later this month, the health secretary has warned.

Steve Barclay said talks are only beginning now to decide which incidents will trigger a call out during the walkouts – but indicated category three calls, including falls, would not.

“At the moment, the trade unions are saying those things wouldn’t be covered,” Mr Barclay said, arguing they “didn’t want to get into the details” before the strikes were announced, for 21 and 28 December.

He warned: “They have said that they will cover life threatening conditions, so that tends to less those sort of cases. They’re usually called a category three.”

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has more:

Ambulances won’t respond if elderly fall during strikes, health secretary warns

Health sec ‘open to talks with unions'

08:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has told Sky News that “in terms of what will be covered by the strikes, we’re discussing that with the trade unions, they have said that they will cover life-threatening conditions”.

Asked if this included falls, he said it “tends to be less those sort of cases, they’re usually called a cat(egory) three”.

He said that “at the moment the trade unions are saying those things wouldn’t be covered” but “the indication from the trade unions” is that things like heart attacks would be covered.

Mr Barclay said he was “open to talks with the trade unions” and later added “it’s not just about pay, there’s many issues that affect staff, the quality of the NHS, tech, of staff and staffing levels”.

He said if everyone in the public sector was given a pay rise in line with inflation it would cost £28 billion.

Nurses, trains and Royal Mail: Every strike planned in run up to Christmas

07:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As inflation has climbed steadily throughout year, workers have seen rising prices eroding their earnings – just as employers have been trying to make savings or modernise working practices to cope with increasing costs.

The result? Clashes over pay, redundancies, pensions and terms and conditions.

A new “winter of discontent” had begun even before Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on 17 November, which left householders everywhere feeling even worse off.

And with the cost of living crisis set to deepen, the disputes will inevitably grow fiercer.

These are the professions and industries for which strike dates have already been announced:

From nurses to postal workers – every strike planned in run up to Christmas

Government is ‘investing’ in paramedics, health secretary says

07:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Health Secretary has said the government was “investing” in paramedics after it was confirmed that thousands of ambulance workers and other NHS staff will strike on December 21 as a row over pay continues.

Steve Barclay told GB News: “It’s not reasonable to expect a further £28 billion in pay uplifts in line with inflation.

“It’s because there are many other pressures within the NHS that we need to address to get those patient backlogs down, to address the operations that people are waiting for, to address the pressures of 8am on primary care when people are trying to phone a GP.

“We are investing in our paramedics. We’ve got 3,000 a year in training but it’s right that we do that alongside the discussions on pay.”

He also said the “Prime Minister has stood his ground” in the dispute.

“We want to work constructively with the trade unions,” he said as he acknowledged that there were pressures on the NHS.

Rishi Sunak under pressure to step in to avert strikes in ‘winter of discontent’

07:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure to intervene and stop a wave of strikes threatening a new winter of discontent this Christmas.

Last hopes of averting walkouts by rail workers next week were dashed after a deadline for agreement passed without the resolution of a row over pay and working practices.

And unions announced co-ordinated strikes by healthcare staff, including ambulance workers, on 21 and 28 December - the first of them coming a day after the first stoppage by nurses in generations.

Read more:

Rishi Sunak under pressure to step in to avert strikes in ‘winter of discontent’

What ambulance strike means for calls, response times and staffing

06:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ambulance services across England are set to go on strike before Christmas as thousands of paramedics and call handlers voted for action.

The announcement by union Unison comes as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) confirmed 100,000 nurses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will walk out on 15 and 20 December.

The union is calling for action on pay and a big increase in staff numbers, warning that unless these things happen, services will continue to decline.

What ambulance strike means for calls, response times and staffing

Nurses, trains and Royal Mail: Every strike planned in run up to Christmas

05:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will strike on 15 and 20 December. Up to 100,000 workers are expected to take part in the pre-Christmas walkouts.

Unison and GMB has announced that thousands of 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services in the North East, North West, London, Yorkshire and the South West are set to strike on 21 December.

Elsewhere, services across the country will be crippled on several dates across December as members of RMT take strike action.

The RMT has revealed that more than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will stage a series of 48-hour walk-outs on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January 2023, impacting Christmas and the New Year.

Read the full list:

From nurses to postal workers – every strike planned in run up to Christmas

DWP staff to take strike action for two weeks over Christmas

04:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Staff working at the Department for Work and Pensions are to take strike action for two weeks over Christmas.

More than 200 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union working in three DWP offices in Liverpool and one in Doncaster will walk out from December 19 to 31.

The union said other targeted action at the DWP is likely to follow as part of the union’s national campaign for a 10% pay rise, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms.

DWP staff to take strike action for two weeks over Christmas

UK strikes timeline: How December’s industrial action will affect you

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Britain has had a difficult time of it in 2022, emerging from two years in the grip of the coronavirus only to be confronted by a dire cost of living crisis defined by runaway inflation and rocketing energy bills exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Now, as Christmas approaches, we find ourselves in a new “winter of discontent” with the country’s unions, representing workers from a wide range of public-facing professions, concluding that they have no choice but to undertake industrial action as their calls for improved pay and working conditions go unanswered while rising prices erode earnings.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has organised strike days throughout December and into January, as 40,000 workers down tools at one of the busiest periods of the year in a bid to force improved terms.

Read more:

Dates of all the strikes happening in December from rail workers to nurses

Nurses strikes: Full list of NHS hospitals where 100,000 staff have voted for industrial action

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

One hundred thousand nursing staff are set to go on strike next month, the Royal College of Nursing has confirmed.

The RCN has released the list of trusts impacted by the historic action, with 44 out of 219 NHS trusts in England voting in favour of walkouts.

In Wales, staff in six out of seven health boards and all six trusts in Northern Ireland will also face strike action.

The RCN would not confirm exactly how many staff in each trust had voted for strike action, however workers have until the day of the strike to decide whether they not work and will join the industrial action.

Nursing staff working outside of hospitals, such as those in commissioning organisations called integrated care boards, have also voted to take action.

The union is set to hold its first strike day on Thursday, 15 December and its second on Tuesday 20 December.

Full list of NHS hospitals where nurses have voted for strikes - check your area

Nurses, trains and Royal Mail: Every strike planned in run up to Christmas

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

As inflation has climbed steadily throughout the year, workers have seen rising prices eroding their earnings – just as employers have been trying to make savings or modernise working practices to cope with increasing costs.

The result? Clashes over pay, redundancies, pensions and terms and conditions.

A new “winter of discontent” had begun even before Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on 17 November, which left householders everywhere feeling even worse off.

And with the cost of living crisis set to deepen, the disputes will inevitably grow fiercer.

These are the professions and industries for which strike dates have already been announced:

From nurses to postal workers – every strike planned in run up to Christmas

“Our duty as firefighters is to save lives – that’s why we’re voting to strike”, writes Matt Wrack

Tuesday 6 December 2022 23:58 , Eleanor Noyce

Firefighters and control staff are balloting for strike action. This is why.

Strike action is always a last resort, but we are left with no other option. Many firefighters and emergency fire control staff are struggling to pay their bills. Some are having to go to foodbanks to feed their families. It is an utterly disgraceful state of affairs. We can’t go on like this.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union worked through the pandemic, continuing to attend their workplaces. Doing that meant taking on additional personal risk to try and help others. Firefighters also took on extra duties to try and aide the Covid response. That included delivering food to the vulnerable and moving the deceased. They were clapped as key workers by the prime minister and others.

Read more:

Opinion: Firefighters must protect lives – that’s why we’re voting to strike

Royal Mail strike: Every date in December 2022

Tuesday 6 December 2022 22:46 , Eleanor Noyce

Royal Mail workers will stage strikes this month and next in an escalating row over pay, jobs and conditions.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) formally notified Royal Mail of the November strikes last month and confirmed six new strike dates in December on November 17.

The postal service apologised to customers, saying that though it had “well-developed contingency plans” it is unable to “fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce”.

“We’ll be doing what we can to keep services running, but we are sorry this planned strike action is likely to cause you some disruption,” the company said on the website.

Here’s everything you need to know about strikes by Royal Mail staff.

Royal Mail strike: Every date in December 2022

There could be a sexist reason you don’t support the nurses’ strike, writes Mandu Reid

Tuesday 6 December 2022 22:02 , Eleanor Noyce

When we think of industrial action in the UK, what comes to mind is coal miners, transport workers and posties industries that are overwhelmingly dominated by men. Women aren’t expected to strike. It’s just not ladylike.

The industries where women dominate are still largely about caring for others. From social care and childcare, to education and even hospitality (the literal definition of which means “generous and friendly treatment of guests” including, presumably, the ones that grope you).

Even if we aren’t working in caring professions, then we are likely delivering the majority of these services in the home for free; as we did during the pandemic. We are expected to do so unconditionally and without complaint, even if it is at the expense of ourselves. Because caring is a labour of love.

Read more:

Opinion: There could be a sexist reason you don’t support the nurses’ strike

Scottish teachers and London bus workers prepare to strike on 7 December

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association and the NASUWT are set to strike in 17 local authority areas on 7 December.

London bus workers at Abellio will also start a two-day walkout.

On 8 December, the teachers’ strike in Scotland will continue in the remaining 15 local authorities.

Train strikes: Every date in December and January 2023

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:02 , Eleanor Noyce

Rail passengers face severe travel disruption over Christmas and the New Year as workers stage a series of 48-hour strikes in December and January in the long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

The RMT union has revealed that more than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will stage a series of 48-hour walk-outs.

Industrial action will take place on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January.

On Monday it announced further strike dates to take place over the key Christmas period, with members walking out from 6pm on 24 December until 7am on 27 December. Most trains do not run on 25 and 26 December anyway, but those aiming to travel by rail to see loved ones either side of Christmas Day will be affected.

Every train strike date in December and January 2023

Army could be drafted in to deal with NHS strikes, says NHS Confederation chief executive

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:48 , Eleanor Noyce

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the Army could be used to help provide some services after ambulance workers and other NHS staff confirmed strike plans for December 21.

Mr Taylor told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that the day of the strike would “feel like a weekend or a bank holiday”, but acknowledged the Army could be drafted in.

“I think it rather depends on the conversations that do need to take place now about how this action will impact.

“Clearly, if there is any risk of not being able to provide emergency services it is likely the Army would have to be mobilised in those circumstances.”

He said the unions are trying to strike a balance between ensuring emergency care is protected while also making an “impact”.

There is “no point taking industrial action if you don’t have an impact with that industrial action”, he acknowledged.

Decision to call off strikes ahead of Christmas ‘rests with the unions’, Downing Street says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:53 , Eleanor Noyce

Downing Street said the decision to call off strikes ahead of Christmas “rests with the unions” when asked how much hope remains in Government that industrial action by the RMT can be averted.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “That decision rests with the unions and their members.

“We would encourage the members of the RMT to follow the lead of the TSSA, who have recognised that this is a fair and generous offer and are calling off their December strikes and putting the offer to their members.

“So, as I say, we think this is the right offer in the circumstances, noting, as I say, the impact that double-digit pay rises would have on the inflation.”

Pressed on whether that means there is some hope remaining, he said: “Like I say, it rests with the unions.”

Government allowing strikes to go ahead to ‘scapegoat' nurses on NHS performance, Wes Streeting says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed the Government had a “disgusting” and “dangerous” plan to allow strikes to go ahead to “scapegoat” nurses on forthcoming NHS performance.

Speaking during Labour’s Opposition Day Commons debate on the NHS workforce, he stated: “Why on earth are they not sitting round the table and conducting serious negotiations?

“I will tell you why - they know that patients are going to suffer this winter, they don’t have a plan to fix it, so instead of acting to improve care for patients and accept responsibility, they want to use nurses as a scapegoat in the hope that they avoid the blame.

“We can see it coming a mile off. It is a disgusting plan. It is dangerous. And it won’t work. And if I’m wrong, perhaps members opposite could explain why the Government is not trying to prevent the strikes from going ahead”, he told the Commons.

‘Significant planning meetings’ taking place across Government on potential strike disruption, Downing Street says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:30 , Eleanor Noyce

There are “significant planning meetings” taking place across Government to manage potential disruption from strike action, Downing Street said.

Asked if there are plans for any Cobra meetings, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I mean, there’s already significant cross-Government planning being led out of Cabinet Office, very regular meetings involving all Government departments on this.

“We don’t normally get into Cobra meetings but there are significant planning meetings across Government already taking place.”

‘The strikes are going ahead’, rail union chief Mick Lynch confirms

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:19 , Eleanor Noyce

Rail union chief Mick Lynch has confirmed train strikes in the UK will be going ahead.

Speaking to reporters outside the RMT union building in north-west London on Tuesday, he said: “The strikes are going ahead because we haven’t had no meetings so far, so we’re hoping to go over to the Rail Delivery Group in the morning.”

Striking rail workers ‘enjoying their right to inflict damage on the public’, says Lord Callanan

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:57 , Eleanor Noyce

Striking rail workers seem as though they are “possibly enjoying their right to inflict damage on the public”, business minister Lord Callanan told Parliament.

Lord Callanan defended the Government’s Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which would ensure that a certain number of services would still run even amidst heavy disruption.

Condemning the ongoing rail strikes initiated by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), the minister said: “It’s almost as if this action is designed to punish the travelling public.

“The way that they are targeting the Christmas period, when there was a load of essential engineering works due to take place to improve the service for the travelling public.

“The way that they are targeting weeks before Christmas when they know that many people travel to see their friends and loved ones over the Christmas period.

“[It] almost seems as if they are possibly enjoying their right to inflict damage on the public.”

“Now, I know there’s a dispute here and they’re entitled to take their action but they’ve been offered a very generous pay rise, the taxpayer has been extremely generous in supporting the rail industry throughout the pandemic, it’s about time some of those workers saw just how well off they are.”

“Urgent treatments will be prioritised during any strike action”, Downing Street says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:49 , Eleanor Noyce

Downing Street said it would not be helpful to “speculate” when asked if the Prime Minister is worried that patients will die as a result of strikes in the NHS.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think what our focus is now is on mitigating any potential detrimental impact these strikes could have.

“Hospitals do everything they can to ensure patients and the public are kept safe. And obviously emergency, urgent treatments will be prioritised during any strike action.”

Ambulance workers at ‘sharp end’ of ‘frighteningly under-resourced health service’, BMA chair says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

BMA chair of council Professor Philip Banfield said: “Ambulance workers have for too long been at the sharp end of a frighteningly under-resourced health service, working with extraordinary dedication in a system that simply does not value them enough.

“Doctors will today offer our solidarity to our colleagues in ambulances who feel this is the only way of getting this Government to take the worsening predicament of the health service and its workers seriously.

“Only by listening to and negotiating in good faith with NHS staff will the Government have any hope of repairing a health system it has left in dire straits. The starting point must be the NHS’s most important resource - its workforce.”

Angela Rayner accuses government of negligence in dispute with ambulance workers

Tuesday 6 December 2022 15:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused the government of negligence in its handling of the dispute with ambulance workers.

She told reporters in Westminster: “We’ve seen actually across the ambulance service the crisis that’s engulfing our ambulance service... in the North West, in my area, the ambulance service saying please do not ring for an ambulance unless it is absolutely, desperately needed and advising people to get taxis. The system is at breaking point.

“The health secretary has failed to meet with their health trade unions throughout the whole summer. They knew this was coming and they again negligently did nothing about it.

“The frustration for me is there is a common theme with all of these disputes and that is this Government failing to act in the interests of British people.”

When is the next December train strike? Everything you need to know

Tuesday 6 December 2022 15:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rail passengers in Britain are enduring the longest and most damaging series of strikes since the 1980s.

The bitter dispute on pay, job security and working arrangements involves the rail unions, the train operators and the infrastructure provider Network Rail.

The first national strikes were called six months ago, and more have been called before and during Christmas and after New Year.

The dates for the next round of national strikes are 13-14, 16-17 and 24-27 December plus 3-4 and 6-7 January.

When is the next December train strike? Everything you need to know

Thousands of ambulance workers and NHS staff to strike ahead of Christmas

Tuesday 6 December 2022 14:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of ambulance workers and other NHS staff are to strike on December 21 in a dispute over pay, unions have announced.

The GMB, Unison and Unite unions are co-ordinating industrial action across England and Wales after accusing the government of ignoring pleas for a decent wage rise.

Unison said its strike, involving paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians and other 999 crew members, will run from noon to midnight.

The strike will happen a day after members of the Royal College of Nursing stage their second walkout, also over pay.

The GMB said more than 10,000 ambulance workers across nine trusts in England and Wales will strike.

Read the full story here:

Government and union leaders must ‘find a solution’ to avoid strikes, NHS chief says

Tuesday 6 December 2022 14:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The government and union leaders need to sit to gether and “find a solution” to avoid the pending strikes, an NHS chief has said.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Trust leaders continue to plan and prepare for strike action, but today’s announcement of co-ordinated action by the GMB, Unison and Unite underlines the sheer urgency of the need for government and union leaders to get around the table to find a solution to avert these strikes.

“The potential to escalate action and for prolonged, joint strikes by health unions in January if talks don’t take place is very worrying.

“As with the upcoming industrial action by the Royal College of Nursing, trusts affected will do everything they can to minimise disruption for patients on Friday 21 and Friday December 28.

“Their priority, as always, remains the safe delivery of care and services for patients during any industrial action and to support the wellbeing of their staff.

“But the challenges strike action presents for the health service at a time when it is under serious strain across every part of the system is undeniable. This will inevitably have an impact on some patients.

“Leaders across the NHS of course understand how strongly ambulance staff, including 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services feel and why they’ve got to this point: below-inflation pay awards amid the rising cost of living, severe staff shortages, rising operational pressures and ever-increasing workloads have all taken their toll.

“There must be no delay in getting down to serious, meaningful negotiations to end this dispute before it escalates still further.”

Border Force strikes: minister confirms army would be brought in but warns ‘there will be disruption’

Tuesday 6 December 2022 14:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The government will bring in the army to work at ports and airports if UK Border Force staff go on strike, a minister has confirmed

Last month Home Office staff – which includes the Border Force – voted 9:1 in favour of strikes.

Announcing the ballot result, the PCS union said: “We are now in a position to call significant industrial action in support of our claim for a 10 per cent pay rise, pensions justice, job security and and no cuts to redundancy terms.”

No dates for a walk-out have been announced.

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has more:

Minister confirms army would be brought in if Border Force strikes go ahead

No 10 plans to bring in new law to require minimum service on railways

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street has insisted it is planning to bring in a new law to require minimum service levels on the railways.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We recognise no legislation will be in place to mitigate against the disruption we’re expecting to see next week.

“We are pushing ahead with minimum service level legislation. That’s the plan whether or not the unions step back from the planned disruption next week.”

He blamed the pandemic for the delay to the legislation first promised in 2019 and insisted “it’s something we’re proceeding with as fast as parliamentary time allows”.

Pressed if the rapid churn of prime ministers and transport secretaries played a role, he said: “I think the global pandemic was the largest impact on this legislation.”

Downing Street urges RMT to accept deal

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street urged the RMT to accept a deal including a four per cent pay rise to follow this year’s five per cent, and no compulsory redundancies until 2025, rather than the union’s “unaffordable” double-digit demands.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that the RMT has chosen to take further damaging action instead of recognising this is a generous and fair deal that could have brought this dispute to an end.

“We believe the RMT need to take this offer seriously. We’ve been fair and reasonable in our approach.”

Government minister Nick Gibb told GB News the union must “call off this strike”, adding: “It’s inconveniencing people up and down the country in the run-up to Christmas. I think it’s a very poor way of conducting negotiations.

“We would urge the unions to talk to employers, to keep negotiating and not to hold the country to ransom, particularly in December as we get nearer to Christmas.”

NHS staff ‘have had enough'

Tuesday 6 December 2022 13:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The GMB union national secretary said NHS staff “have had enough” as three unions announced co-ordinated walkouts ahead of Christmas.

Rachel Harrison said: “After 12 years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough.

“The last thing they want to do is take strike action but the government has left them with no choice.

“Health secretary Steve Barclay needs to listen and engage with us about pay. If he can’t talk to us about this most basic workforce issue, what on Earth is he Health Secretary for?

“The government could stop this strike in a heartbeat - but they need to wake up and start negotiating on pay.”

BREAKING: Thousands of ambulance workers and NHS staff to strike on December 21

Tuesday 6 December 2022 12:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of ambulance workers and other NHS staff are to strike on December 21 in a dispute over pay, the GMB, Unison and Unite unions announced.

It comes as the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on Monday announced further strike dates in the lead-up to Christmas.

Read more here:

Thousands of ambulance workers and NHS staff to strike

Transport minister says more RMT strikes ‘deeply unhelpful'

Tuesday 6 December 2022 11:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Transport minister Baroness Vere said the RMT’s announcement of more strikes was “deeply unhelpful”.

She told delegates at a conference in Westminster organised by travel trade body Abta: “I just think it’s terribly disappointing.

“They could not have chosen worse days. You can imagine why they have done.”

She added: “I really wish they would take the opportunity to have more conversations with train operating companies.

“This cannot continue forever.”

She went on to say “there cannot be an open chequebook” and “I very much hope we can reach a resolution as this is going to disrupt so many people”.

Unions must ‘coordinate’ strikes, says RMT boss, as pre-Christmas walkouts grow

Tuesday 6 December 2022 11:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Unions have “a duty to coordinate” their strikes to save low-paid workers from going to food banks, the RMT boss says, ahead of a wave of pre-Christmas walkouts.

Nurses, ambulance drivers, post workers, bus drivers and driving examiners are set to join rail workers in industrial action, in what has been dubbed a “general strike” in all but name.

Ministers have condemned the “Christmas misery” ahead”, again threatening tougher laws to require minimum services are maintained on public services.

But Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT rail union, said unions working more closely together were simply responding to “a general attack by the employers and by the government”.

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:

Unions must ‘coordinate’ strikes, says RMT boss, as pre-Christmas walkouts grow

Rail union clashes with government over strikes before Christmas

Tuesday 6 December 2022 10:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rail union chief Mick Lynch has been urged by ministers not to “hold the country to ransom” with strikes ahead of Christmas as he blamed the Government for failing to avert the action.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary said on Tuesday the unions have a duty to take coordinated action in response to a “generalised attack on working people”.

He confirmed there will be greater disruption on the rails on Christmas Eve because of a walkout from 6pm until 6am on December 27 following two 48-hour strikes next week.

Talks with the Rail Delivery Group over the long-running dispute on pay, jobs and conditions will still take place on Tuesday.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused the “militant” Government of presiding over a “complete shambles” on the railways as she backed the workers’ right to strike.

But Government minister Nick Gibb argued the RMT’s “very disappointing decision” came after they were offered a “very good pay deal” of 8% over two years.

“So I think the unions really should call off this strike. It’s inconveniencing people up and down the country in the run up to Christmas, I think it’s a very poor way of conducting negotiations,” he told GB News.

“We would urge the unions to talk to employers, to keep negotiating and not to hold the country to ransom, particularly in December as we get nearer to Christmas.”

Mr Lynch insisted he does not want strikes to go ahead before Christmas but argued his members were being forced into action by the Government not allowing train operators a proper mandate to negotiate on pay and conditions.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We regret the inconvenience that we are causing but this inconvenience is being caused by the Government who are running the playbook and the strategy for the companies and directing what’s going on.

“They’ve held back even these paltry offers to the last minute so they know it’s very difficult to deal with these offers.”