The action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is in protest at the policy of capping pay awards in the public sector below inflation. Their action began when coastguards started a 24-hour walkout last night.

PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said they would be joined by driving examiners, immigration officials and jobcentre and benefits staff. The union is demanding pay increases of at least the rate of retail prices index (RPI) inflation, currently running at 3.8%. The government uses the lower consumer prices index measure of inflation (subscription required) for setting public sector pay awards. The PCS says that staff are angry at the government-imposed pay caps that are resulting in pay freezes and pay cuts in real terms.

The first strike by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) for 21 years is expected to close one-third of schools.

Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the NUT, said: “Teachers do not take the decision to strike easily, or lightly, but teachers’ patience has been stretched to the limit. This is not just a one-year issue. After three years of below-inflation pay increases the prospect for a further three years of the same is the last straw." Teachers have been offered a 2.45% increase from September. Blower says this can be seen "in no other way than as a pay cut".