Strike news – live: Christmas party cancellations ‘near Covid levels’ amid December walkouts

Christmas party cancellations have hit “near Covid” levels as UK hospitality bosses say 30 per cent of bookings have been called off due to strikes.

The upcoming rail strikes will also knock out £1.5bn from revenues, as reported by Bloomberg.

It comes as home secretary Suella Braverman warned Britons to “think carefully” before going ahead with plans to travel abroad this Christmas.

Ms Braverman said planned strikes by Border Force officials will “undeniably” cause serious disruption to hundreds of thousands of travellers hoping to use ports and airports.

Ms Braverman told the BBC: “If they go ahead with those strikes, there will be undeniable serious disruption caused to many thousands of people who have holiday plans.

“I really want to urge people who have got plans to travel abroad to think carefully about their plans because they may well be impacted.”

The PCS union on Wednesday announced eight days of industrial action which will see Border Force personnel down tools from 23-26 December and again from 28-31 December.

Key Points

• Christmas party cancellation hit ‘near Covid’ levels due to strikes

• ‘Think carefully’ before planning foreign travel in strike-hit Christmas, says Braverman

• NHS staff could be banned from striking, says cabinet minister

• Airport staff to strike for eight days over Christmas

• Expect flight disruption and delays, says minister

Rail strikes could go on ‘indefinitely’, Lynch warns

19:26 , Sam Rkaina

The current wave of rail strikes could go on “indefinitely” unless ministers back down on their demand for driver-only operation of trains, the head of the RMT union has warned.

Mick Lynch said that progress towards agreement in the dispute over pay and conditions was scuppered last weekend by orders from Whitehall for employers to include the demand, which unions had already indicated they would never accept.

He also accused ministers of deliberately seeking to force industrial action over the sensitive Christmas period in order to break public support for strikes.

Click here for the full story.

Thousands of striking Royal Mail workers expected at rally near Parliament Friday

17:52 , Sam Rkaina

Thousands of Royal Mail workers will stage a rally on Friday to mark another strike in the increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will gather outside Parliament in central London, with little sign the long running row will be resolved soon.

The union said at least 15,000 will attend the rally, describing it as the biggest postal workers’ demonstration in living memory.

CWU General Secretary Dave Ward will also join one of the many picket lines which will be mounted outside Royal Mail offices across the country.

Strikes are also planned on Sunday and next Wednesday and Thursday.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We spent three more days at Acas this week to discuss what needs to happen for the strikes to be lifted.

“In the end, all we received was another request for more pay, without the changes needed to fund the pay offer.

“The CWU know full well that in a business losing more than £1 million a day, we need to agree changes to the way we work so that we can fund the pay offer of up to 9% we have already made.

“While the CWU refuses to accept the need for change, it’s our customers and our people who suffer. Strike action has already cost our people £1,200 each.

“The money allocated to the pay deal risks being eaten away by the costs of further strike action.

“The CWU is striking at our busiest time, deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country.

“We are doing everything we can to deliver Christmas for our customers and settle this dispute. During the last strike days, we delivered more than 700,000 parcels, and more than 11,000 delivery and processing staff returned to work.

“We recovered our service quickly, but the task becomes more challenging as Christmas nears.

“We remain willing to talk at any time about our best and final offer and urge the CWU to call off their damaging strike action.”

Sturgeon should intervene in teachers pay row, minister says

16:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Teachers need a “peacemaker” to prevent further strike action with Nicola Sturgeon urged to intervene to facilitate an improved pay offer, trade unions have said.

A pay offer which prioritises salary increases of up to 6.85% for the lowest paid teachers and a 5% rise for the highest paid, was rejected by unions.

NASUWT Scotland and the Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) continued their second day of strike action on Thursday, following mass school closures on November 24 when the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) went on strike over pay.

Speaking during a rally organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on Thursday, Seamus Searson, general secretary of the SSTA, said teachers were willing to go on strike again in the new year if a reasonable offer was not made.

He told the PA news agency: “We need a resolution; it doesn’t matter who comes (to the table).

“If the First Minister is willing to come in and talk to us, then the sooner the better. But the offer they have made at the moment is not what we’re after.

“It’s not enough so we do need somebody to come in and be the peacemaker to get this resolved.”

Mr Searson took aim at the Education Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, as he accused the Scottish Government of “stringing” teachers along.

He said: “Teachers are very angry. They feel they have been messed about. They feel they haven’t been shown proper respect.

“The Government didn’t think teachers would take strike action but teachers have been forced into this because we’re trying to get a pay deal that should have been paid in April.

“The Education Secretary needs to find some money and come to the table to get this situation resolved. At the moment, we just feel that they are stringing us along.”

It was a feeling echoed by Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS, who said: “We’ve spent months now convincing, or seeking to convince, the Education Secretary of the worth of the teachers’ pay claim.”

The union has announced a further 16 days of strike action starting in January, with walk-outs planned in two local authorities each day.

She suggested an intervention from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, should take place “sooner rather than later”.

A spokesman for the First Minister told journalists on Thursday he was “not aware of any specific” interventions planned by Ms Sturgeon “beyond what we’ve said already”.

“The Education Secretary was saying yesterday we understand the point teachers are making, but equally there needs to be a recognition and an understanding that we’re operating within very tight finances which are already significantly shortened by inflation,” he added.

“We have to be realistic on that basis.”

When asked if teachers’ unions were unrealistic in the calls for a 10% pay increase, the spokesman said the Scottish Government was “sympathetic” to the plight of teachers but that pay offers had to be “affordable” and there was no “bottomless pit of cash”.

Pubs and restaurants expect up to 40 per cent of Christmas party cancellations

15:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Pubs and restaurants are expecting up to 40% of bookings on strike days next week to be cancelled as Christmas party celebrations are disrupted by the UK rail strikes.

Industry bosses have warned that strikes throughout this month are expected to cost hospitality firms around £1.5 billion.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will take part in a series of strike days from Tuesday in a long running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

The RMT is due to hold strikes on December 13, 14, 16 and 17, as well as from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 7am on 27 December.

Network Rail has said passengers should only seek to travel “if necessary” on these dates.

Union leaders have continued to blame the Government for “blocking” a deal to end the dispute.

Trade body UKHospitality has warned that the strikes are now leading to a surge in cancelled bookings.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the industry group, said: “UKHospitality continues to anticipate that the rail strikes throughout December will cost hospitality businesses around £1.5 billion in lost sales and subsequent impacts.

“The most severe impact we’re seeing now is on consumer confidence and the growing cancellations businesses are seeing as a result of the strike.

“Feedback we’re hearing from members is that cancellations were already around 20-30% and with the news of no breakthrough and additional strikes further impacting consumer confidence, we’re expecting that cancellation rate to rise to 35-40%.”

Health workers in Northern Ireland to receive delayed pay award

15:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Health workers in Northern Ireland are to finally receive a pay rise recommended by independent salary review bodies, Stormont’s Department of Health has announced.

The delayed move comes after civil servants secured the legislative authority to make decisions on pay amid Stormont’s political impasse.

The majority of health workers will receive at least an additional £1,400 in pay while doctors and dentists will be given a 4.5% salary rise.

The uplifts are set to come into effect before the end of the financial year and will be backdated to April 1 this year.

The separate independent recommendations were made by the NHS Pay Review Body and Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration.

The announcement is unlikely to affect industrial action planned by health workers this winter, as NHS colleagues in Great Britain voted to strike having already received the 2022/23 uplifts.

The lack of a devolved executive at Stormont had prevented the awards being made in Northern Ireland prior to the UK Government intervening last month to pass a budget for Stormont and hand civil servants extra powers.

Former health minister Robin Swann had recommended accepting the recommendations of the pay review body but at the time was unable to implement it in the absence of an executive budget.

Earlier on Thursday, the Department of Finance issued guidance to other departments on approving public sector pay remits for the 2022/23 financial year.

The department said pay awards had to be “affordable” in the context of each department’s allocation under the budget set out by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

Departments are now able to make awards, but some are more advanced in the process than others.

With recommendations of the pay review bodies already received, and the previous minister having accepted them, the Department of Health was in a position to act almost immediately after it was given the authority.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The Department shares the frustration of all our HSC colleagues in the delays in implementing the pay recommendations for 2022/23.

“While the former minister had accepted the recommendations in full, the lack of a public sector pay policy and budgetary uncertainty prevented any further progress.

“These hurdles have now been cleared for this year and the Department will now move to implement these pay awards as a matter of urgency to ensure colleagues see their pay increase as soon as possible.”

Christmas party cancellation hit ‘near Covid’ levels due to strikes

14:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Christmas party cancellations have hit “near Covid” levels as UK hospitality bosses say 30 per cent of bookings have been called off due to strikes.

The upcoming rail strikes will also knock out £1.5bn from revenues, as reported by Bloomberg.

Ignoring proposed tax reforms will let down workers, trade union boss warns

14:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scottish ministers will continue to let down ordinary workers if they ignore proposed tax reforms in an upcoming budget statement, a trade union boss has warned.

Research from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) said an additional £1.3 billion can be raised if measures like reducing the threshold for the highest tax rate was introduced.

It would see it reduced from £43,663 to £40,000, with other increases to certain council tax bands.

Deputy First Minister, and interim Finance Secretary, John Swinney will set out the budget on December 15.

Hundreds of workers from a raft of trade unions, including the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) and NASUWT who are currently on their second day of strike action, rallied outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the budget.

Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary, said only a lack of ambition and political will would see ministers opt not to introduce the measures, which she said will help fund local services and provide fair pay deals to workers.

Speaking during the rally, she told the PA news agency that the Scottish Government was fully aware of what is expected of it.

She said: “The reason workers are having to take strike action is because they are scared. They can’t pay their bills and their lives are not sustainable at the moment.

“The politicians have really let us down here in our hour of need. We need them to be on our side.”

She added: “There is absolutely no reason why they can’t take these political decisions and undertake what we’re asking for.

“Everything we’re asking for is affordable if they take the actions that we’ve proposed to them.

“At the end of they day, we know it’s not through lack of ability. If they don’t introduce a budget that redistributes wealth in our economy then it will be through lack of ambition and political will, nothing else.”

The research, carried out by Landman Economic, also suggests about £3.3 billion could be raised in the medium term with the introduction of measures like wealth taxes and council tax replacement by April 2026.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Supporting fair public sector pay settlements continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers in the face of the cost of living crisis, with more than £700 million extra re-allocated to enhance pay this year.

“The Scottish Government has already delivered the fairest and most progressive tax system in the UK while raising extra revenue to invest in public services and Scotland’s economy.

“Proposals on tax policy for 2023-24 will be published as part of the Scottish Budget on December 15.”

Downing Street says double-digit pay rises would ‘embed inflation'

14:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street has said giving double-digit pay rises across the public sector would “embed inflation” and be “acting against everyone’s interests”.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “It is inflation that is our shared enemy and if we were to push ahead with double-digit pay deals across the public sector, at a cost of £28 billion, that’s a cost of £1,000 per household.

“That would embed inflation, which currently is expected to fall significantly next year.

“So we would be acting against everyone’s interests if we were to take all the demands and meet them in full.”

Downing Street denies trying to ‘worsen relations’ with unions over tougher law threats

13:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street has denied it was trying to worsen relations with the unions by threatening to introduce laws to curb the impact of strikes of frontline workers.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “What we are looking to do is to keep people safe and keep the country moving. Those are our aims, we’re not looking to worsen our relations with any group.

“We believe we’ve acted reasonably when it comes to both agreeing the payoff as recommended by the independent boards and in facilitating the discussions we need to reach some sort of resolution.

“Given what we’re seeing and the need to protect people from inflation we must also go further and consider further powers to try and mitigate against some of the disruption.”

New coal would be ‘net zero,’ Gove insists

13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The new coal mine would be “net zero”, Michael Gove insisted, as he encouraged MPs to read the official report underpinning the decision.

The Communities Secretary said: “It is the case that the inspector makes clear... that in all of the scenarios and forecasts presented to him there was a continued demand for coking coal for a number of decades.

“The inspector also made clear that at the moment imports of coking coal into this country come from Australia, the USA, and Russia. It is also the case, as I pointed out in the statement and as the inspector makes clear, that no evidence was provided to suggest that there are any other metallurgical coal mines in the world that aspire to be net zero in the way that the Whitehaven development would do.”

He also claimed the inspector said the mine would “support the transition to a low carbon future as a consequence of the provision of a currently needed resource from a mine that aspires to be net zero.”.

He added: “I would urge everyone to read the inspector’s report in full.”

‘Isn’t it time the government got a grip on this?’

12:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

On strikes, Conservative Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) asked: “Isn’t it time that the Government got a grip on this?”

He said: “Can I ask (Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt) why there’s nothing in her statement about the disruption to lives and livelihoods being caused by strikes over the next month?

“We’ve heard rumours that the Government’s going to bring in emergency legislation, there’s nothing referred to in her statement and we’re now going to have a recess for about a month.

“Is she expecting these strikes to disrupt lives with impunity up until 9 January and what’s going to happen after that? Isn’t it time that the Government got a grip on this?”

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt replied: “(He’s) absolutely right, these strikes particularly on transport are going to be incredibly disruptive for people especially those that are - don’t have an alternative other than to use public transport and I think it’s particularly difficult for people who may not now be able to see each other over the Christmas period when families want to come together.

“The minimum services legislation has already been introduced but he will know that the Prime Minister is giving this his attention as a priority and is looking at what further things we can do to ensure that the public can rely on basic levels of service across these very important areas.”

Downing Street says strikes will be disruptive to Army personnel stepping in to help

12:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street has conceded that the strikes this Christmas will be disruptive for Army personnel who cover vital services.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “These rolling strikes will cause disruption to everyone and that does also include our military personnel who will be required unfortunately to have to step in and backfill some of these vital roles we need to keep the country moving.

“We recognise that they have been called on to do this before and I’m sure the public thanks them once again for the work they’re preparing to do.”

Rachel Reeves says Labour will work with business to make Britain ‘enterprising’ nation

11:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the next Labour government will work with business to make Britain an “enterprising, dynamic” nation.

Concluding her speech to hundreds of business leaders, she said: “Britain can achieve so much in innovation, in trade and in growth.

“We have the ability, but we need government and business working together to make the most of that great potential, to spread opportunity far and wide right across the country, and to allow everyone with the talent, the effort and the ideas to see their vision through to reality.

“That is the task ahead - to build the Britain that I know we can be: an enterprising, dynamic country able to rise to the challenges posed in a changing world.

“The work to make this a reality will begin on day one of the next Labour government.”

‘Think carefully’ before planning foreign travel in strike-hit Christmas, says Braverman

11:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home secretary Suella Braverman has warned Britons to “think carefully” before going ahead with plans to travel abroad this Christmas.

Ms Braverman said planned strikes by Border Force officials will “undeniably” cause serious disruption to hundreds of thousands of travellers hoping to use ports and airports.

The home secretary confirmed she has plans to call in the military to fill the places of striking workers.

But she said she would not compromise on security at the border to ease the expected queues and delays, and told would-be travellers to expect long waits.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

‘Think carefully’ before travel abroad in strike-hit Christmas, says Braverman

Cabinet office minister says he has one ‘exceptional circumstance’ to his confidence in the power networks

11:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden said he has confidence in the power networks “barring a very exceptional circumstance”.

Labour MP Afzal Khan, who is a shadow justice minister but was speaking from the backbenches, said: “The UK’s power supply is already stretched to breaking point with the National Grid telling us that blackouts are now a very real possibility.”

He asked: “Can the minister urgently explain to my vulnerable constituents what they should do to remain safe and warm in the event of a power blackout during freezing cold temperatures?”

Mr Dowden said: “In respect of the winter weather, the Cabinet Office is keeping a close eye on it, and indeed I have been briefed on the situation. On the wider situation in relation to energy supply, I am working closely with my colleague (Business Secretary Grant Shapps).

“He and I have strong confidence about the resilience of the UK power networks. And excepting a very exceptional circumstance, we are confident that we will continue supply throughout the winter.”

Mr Dowden later told the House: “We continually test our plans and our resilience... barring a very exceptional circumstance, the Business Secretary and I have confidence in our power networks.”

Senior MP calls removal of Tory whip ‘wrong and unjustified’

10:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A senior MP who has had the Tory whip removed after a complaint was made to the police has branded the move “wrong and unjustified”, and suggested he could be the target of a “campaign of rumour and innuendo”.

Julian Knight said he will be recusing himself from Parliament until the matter is resolved.

The Conservatives removed the whip from Mr Knight on Wednesday after a complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police, the party said, meaning he no longer sits in the Commons as a Tory.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Mr Knight said: “I have heard nothing from the police, the Whips Office or Parliament’s Internal Grievance Service, or been the subject of any investigation by the latter. Nor have I ever been warned or spoken to by the Whips Office about any allegations of misconduct.

“I believe their withdrawal of the whip is wrong and unjustified.

“Some months ago I accepted the resignation of a staff member following a full inquiry into his conduct regarding House of Commons security issues and, separately, allegations of bullying against him.

“Subsequently, I have received what my lawyers advise are explicit threats involving blackmail, as well as being at the centre of a campaign of rumour and innuendo.

“All matters are now with my lawyers and I will be recusing myself from Parliament until the matter is resolved.”

A spokeswoman for Chief Whip Simon Hart, who took the action, declined to comment on the nature of the complaint.

Mr Knight is the chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee and has represented Solihull in the West Midlands since 2015.

Replacement for Veterans Mobility Fund will see ‘no reduction in service'

10:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer said the replacement for the Veterans Mobility Fund will “see no reduction in service”.

SNP MP Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) said: “What assessment’s he made of potential replacement funding streams to support veterans with the costs of specialist wheelchairs, mobility aids?

“And what internal discussions has there been about reinstating the Veterans Mobility Fund?”

Mr Mercer said: “I’m well aware the Veterans Mobility Fund is coming to an end. That was a libor-funded project and libor funding has come to an end.

“What we’re seeking to do is replace that with a more sustainable, more evidenced-based process that will make sure that we are looking after the specialist need that some of our amputees are going to need going forward.

“I am absolutely determined that they will see no reduction in service, but in fact better service from understanding their needs as they progress 10, or 20 years beyond their injury.”

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

09:49 , 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

Union leader urges troops not to ‘strike break’ ahead of airports walkout

09:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A union leader has urged troops not to “strike break” as industrial action hits airports, hospitals, ambulances and ferries over the Christmas period.

Mark Serwotka of the PCS union revealed he has written to the head of the armed forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warning it would be an “outrage” if government ministers sent the military in to do jobs like passport checks at the borders.

His call came as the general secretaries of the TUC and the Unison public sector union demanded a face to face meeting with chancellor Jeremy Hunt for “meaningful” talks on pay to avert industrial action.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

Union leader urges troops not to ‘strike break’ ahead of airports walkout

NHS staff could be banned from striking, says cabinet minister

08:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak’s government is looking at whether NHS staff and other workers in the emergency services could be banned from taking part in strikes, cabinet minister Gillian Keegan has said.

Ms Keegan confirmed that ministers were considering legislation to stop health workers and others in “areas of critical infrastructure” from taking industrial action.

The government is said to be drawing up plans to curb the rights of NHS workers, firefighters and Border Force officials to strike.

Adam Forrest reports:

NHS staff could be banned from striking, says cabinet minister

Keegan says she would support Sunak’s tough new laws to prevent strike disruption

08:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said she would support extending legislation to ensure minimum levels of service during industrial action on transport to other public services including health.

Rishi Sunak has promised “tough” new laws to limit the impact of strike action and did not rule out banning strikes in emergency services, after Downing Street suggested his measures will include widening anti-strike legislation to other public services.

Asked if she would support such a move, Ms Keegan said: “Well yes, I mean, I think we do have some areas where strikes are not allowed as part of the contract. So, for example, the military can’t go on strike and the police.

“There’s some people... as a matter of public safety, you can’t go on strike.

“And I think what we’re looking at is, you know, are there other areas that we should include in that? Health would be one to look at and other areas of critical infrastructure.”

Asked if teachers would be included, she said: “I don’t know. I mean, I haven’t looked at that.”

Education secretary ‘hopes’ teachers strike not inevitable

08:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said she “very much hopes” a teachers’ strike in England is not inevitable and that the £2bn settlement over the next two years is “enough”.

“We’ve accepted the pay recommendations in full – between 5% and 8.9% depending on whether you’re an experienced teacher or a new teacher. So we’ve tried our very best to meet all the requirements,” she told Times Radio.

Ms Keegan added that what the unions are asking for is “a lot higher” than what the independent pay review body recommended.

Expect disruption and delays, says minister

08:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Cabinet minister Gillian Keegan said “we should be extremely grateful” to 2,000 soldiers who will fill in for striking Border Force staff over the festive period.

The education secretary told Sky News: “It’s very disappointing that Border Force will be striking over Christmas.”

She added: “We’ve got 2,000 military personnel who are trained who are going to try and mitigate and try and help with some of those roles at the border. But you know, we do expect there will be disruption and delays, but they will do their best.”

Education secretary says government tried ‘their best’ to meet teachers’ demands

07:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said the government had “tried our very best” to meet teachers’ demands and hopes the pay settlement is “enough” to quell strikes.

Asked whether a teacher strike is inevitable, she told Times Radio: “I very much hope not. Obviously the teachers are balloting at the moment but our children have missed enough education through the pandemic.

“So we’re very much hoping that the £2 billion settlement... is enough.

“We’ve accepted the pay recommendations in full - between 5% and 8.9% depending on whether you’re an experienced teacher or a new teacher.

“So we’ve tried our very best to meet all the requirements.”

She added that what the unions are asking for is “a lot higher” than what the independent pay review body recommended.

Teachers on second day of strike action

07:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Teachers across Scotland will hold a second day of strike action this week in a dispute over pay.

NASUWT Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) have downed tools over what they say was a “divisive and inadequate” pay offer.

Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) members working in schools went on strike last week, closing the majority of schools across Scotland.

Most secondary schools affected are partially closed this week, with many asking senior pupils to attend as normal.

The SSTA says the Scottish Government has failed to make contact since November 22 to avert further strikes this week.

The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers offered a 5% pay award which was “unanimously rejected” by teaching unions.

Seumas Searson, general secretary of the SSTA, said: “Members are taking part in the strike this week to send a hard message to the employer and Scottish Government that teachers demand to be respected and receive a professional salary that will act to retain teachers in Scottish schools.

“The latest offer was quickly rejected by the teacher unions and was deliberately divisive and inadequate. This apparent show of contempt to teachers by this offer has hardened the resolve of members and forced the SSTA to take the strongest form of action.

“For many SSTA members this will be the first strike they will have taken part in, and this action will have caused a great deal of anxiety not only for themselves but for the pupils they teach.

“The SSTA can only apologise to the pupils and their parents who are stuck in the middle of a dispute that should have been resolved months ago. Teachers do not want to be taking strike action as they would rather be in school teaching.”

Rail dispute slipping further from resolution, says union boss

07:00 , Liam James

A resolution in the long-running rail dispute is further away, after a last-minute intervention from the government in talks over pay, jobs and conditions, a union has claimed.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said it has heard from rail companies that there will be no revised offer from them, after being “instructed” by the government instead to “take on” planned strikes next week.

The RMT said it was “absolutely clear” that train operators’ plans for a revised and improved offer had been blocked by the government.

A union spokesperson said: “The planned industrial action for RMT train operating company members goes ahead as scheduled, as there is no resolution to the dispute and in fact a resolution is now further away due to the government’s late intervention in the negotiating process.”

Passengers were being warned that even if the RMT called off strikes on 12 December following their membership referendum on an offer from Network Rail, it would be too late to reinstate services.

As a result, it was now “inevitable” that industrial action on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December would see around half of the network shut down, with around 20 per cent of normal services running.

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

06:00 , Liam James

Only one day before now and Christmas will be strike-free as teachers, postal workers, train drivers and other railway workers, airport staff, bus drivers and others walk out in pursuit of better pay and working conditions.

Joe Sommerlad walks through all the industrial action taking place this month:

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

Royal Mail strike: Every date in December 2022

04:30 , Liam James

When are the strikes?

• Thursday 1 December

• Friday 9 December

• Sunday 11 December

• Wednesday 14 December

• Thursday 15 December

• Friday 23 December

• Saturday 24 December

More on the dispute over pay and working conditions that spurred the industrial action here:

Royal Mail strike: Every date in December 2022

Emergency workers could face curbs on strike action

03:00 , Liam James

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.

And the prime minister later said he was ready to do “whatever I need to do” to minimise disruption to day-to-day life.

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.

Political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

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

London bus drivers’ strike called off after improved pay offer

01:30 , Liam James

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.”

Watch: Rishi Sunak says government’s pay offers ‘reasonable’ despite strikes

00:00 , Liam James

Here is a clip from the prime minister’s interview with ITV earlier in which he claimed the government was offering reasonable pay increases to workers threatening strikes.

Update: christmas strike to cause major disruption at Britain’s biggest airports

Wednesday 7 December 2022 23:00 , Liam James

Britons face further travel chaos over the festive period after staff at UK’s largest airports voted for eight days of strikes over Christmas and New Year.

Border Force staff will walk out in a row over pay, pensions and jobs from 23 to 26 December and again between 28 and 31 December at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff.

It comes amid a raft of strikes set to hit festive travel, with industrial action organised by train, bus and road workers over Christmas.

The PCS union said around 1,000 officials at passport control would walk out in a push for a 10 per cent pay rise – with general secretary Mark Serwotka adding it would have a “significant impact” on Britons’ travel plans.

At busier airports with constrained space – particularly Heathrow – long queues could lead to passengers being held on planes rather than disembarking. This could trigger delays for incoming and departing aircraft, putting pressure on a system that has little spare capacity and possibly leading to cancellations and diversions.

Airport staff to strike for eight days over Christmas

Anti-union tactics won’t intimidate strikers, says Unite boss

Wednesday 7 December 2022 21:50 , Liam James

The prime minister has been accused of “anti-trade union attacks” after promising “tough” new laws to limit the impact of strike action.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said “we are ready industrially and financially” to challenge any new measures that Rishi Sunak tries to enact.

Downing Street suggested proposed legislation to set limits on the disruption caused by transport strikes could be expanded to cover other public services.

Ms Graham accused Mr Sunak of attacking unions as they fight to get workers more pay as prices soar.

“No-one will be fooled by this attempt to divert attention away from the sheer incompetence of this government,” she said.

“For Unite, this is very clear. We will not be intimidated by anti-trade union attacks. If they put more hurdles in our way, then we will jump over them.

“We are ready industrially and financially. As general secretary of Unite I will continue to fight and win for workers.”

Public stuck in the middle of Border Force strike row – Simon Calder

Wednesday 7 December 2022 20:40 , Liam James

Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent, appeared on LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr earlier to discuss the recently announced strike by airport staff.

“While I always try and look on the bright side ... I’m afraid this is really serious,” he told listeners.

Watch his full appearance below:

Rishi Sunak says rejected pay settlements are ‘reasonable’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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'

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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.”

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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

Wednesday 7 December 2022 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.”