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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Warning of public sector strike threat to UK travel | Warning of public sector strike threat to UK travel |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Travellers have been warned to expect delays on arrival at UK ports and airports on Thursday as hundreds of immigration and customs officers are due to join the public sector strike. | Travellers have been warned to expect delays on arrival at UK ports and airports on Thursday as hundreds of immigration and customs officers are due to join the public sector strike. |
| People are being advised to think about travelling on alternative dates. | People are being advised to think about travelling on alternative dates. |
| Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are due to strike over planned pension changes they say will mean them working longer and paying more. | Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are due to strike over planned pension changes they say will mean them working longer and paying more. |
| Business leaders have warned of the impact of the walkout on the economy. | Business leaders have warned of the impact of the walkout on the economy. |
| Addressing the Local Government Association conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the strikes would not help Britons or the trade union movement. | |
| Mr Clegg said: "We are absolutely adamant in government that this issue can only, and must only, be resolved through dialogue and discussion, not through strikes and conflict. | |
| "We quite simply have to stick with it. We have to keep on talking and sort it out." | |
| Airport operator BAA, which runs Heathrow, Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, said it had been informed by the UK Border Agency "arriving passengers should expect delays at the UK border on Thursday as a result of industrial action by immigration officers". | |
| "Passengers who can do so may wish to travel on other dates," it said. | |
| And Jonathan Sedgwick, acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency, said: "We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and inconvenience to travellers but our priority will always be to ensure that the UK border remains secure." | |
| Meanwhile, an Easyjet spokesman said the airline hoped that passengers leaving the UK and those on domestic flights would avoid disruption, but warned they could also be hit by a knock-on effect. | Meanwhile, an Easyjet spokesman said the airline hoped that passengers leaving the UK and those on domestic flights would avoid disruption, but warned they could also be hit by a knock-on effect. |
| He said: "The challenge will be if the immigration halls, which are small in some airports, start to overflow, which could cause more general problems. | He said: "The challenge will be if the immigration halls, which are small in some airports, start to overflow, which could cause more general problems. |
| "We are trying to minimise the impact and have asked airports to find spaces elsewhere for people to queue if the immigration halls do overflow." | "We are trying to minimise the impact and have asked airports to find spaces elsewhere for people to queue if the immigration halls do overflow." |
| More than 3,000 schools in England and Wales will be closed, and some 2,200 partially closed, the government has said, because of 24-hour strike action by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). | More than 3,000 schools in England and Wales will be closed, and some 2,200 partially closed, the government has said, because of 24-hour strike action by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). |
| Pensions 'affordability' | Pensions 'affordability' |
| Announcing the figures on Tuesday, Mr Gove said the situation with another 10,872 schools was "not at that stage known". | Announcing the figures on Tuesday, Mr Gove said the situation with another 10,872 schools was "not at that stage known". |
| The British Chambers of Commerce said many parents would lose pay for taking the day off work to look after their children, and productivity would be hit. | The British Chambers of Commerce said many parents would lose pay for taking the day off work to look after their children, and productivity would be hit. |
| "Public sector pensions have long faced problems of affordability, and reforms to bring them into line with those in the private sector are essential," said director general David Frost. | "Public sector pensions have long faced problems of affordability, and reforms to bring them into line with those in the private sector are essential," said director general David Frost. |
| "The reality is that our workforce is living longer, and pensions need to reflect this to be sustainable in the long term. | "The reality is that our workforce is living longer, and pensions need to reflect this to be sustainable in the long term. |
| "The private sector has had to wake up to the tough realities of pension provision in a rapidly changing world, and the public sector must do the same." | "The private sector has had to wake up to the tough realities of pension provision in a rapidly changing world, and the public sector must do the same." |
| Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, said: "With teachers going on strike and parents having to stay at home to look after their children, the day itself will prove a nightmare for businesses as staff absence and losses in productivity will be inevitable. | Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, said: "With teachers going on strike and parents having to stay at home to look after their children, the day itself will prove a nightmare for businesses as staff absence and losses in productivity will be inevitable. |
| 'Good deal' | 'Good deal' |
| "At a time when many firms are still struggling, this is the last thing they need and public sector unions need to realise the impact their actions will have on the economy." | "At a time when many firms are still struggling, this is the last thing they need and public sector unions need to realise the impact their actions will have on the economy." |
| Members of the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are also involved in Thursday's strike action. | Members of the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are also involved in Thursday's strike action. |
| Addressing the Local Government Association conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "To those considering strike action, when discussions are ongoing, I say to you these strikes are wrong, for you, for the people you serve and for the good of the country." | Addressing the Local Government Association conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "To those considering strike action, when discussions are ongoing, I say to you these strikes are wrong, for you, for the people you serve and for the good of the country." |
| The PM said the proposed changes to public sector pensions were a "good deal". | The PM said the proposed changes to public sector pensions were a "good deal". |
| Labour leader Ed Miliband said the strikes would be a "mistake", and that both sides should get back round the negotiating table. | Labour leader Ed Miliband said the strikes would be a "mistake", and that both sides should get back round the negotiating table. |
| "Public sector pensions do need to be reformed," he said. "But the government has to take its share of responsibility for the provocative way they have handled these negotiations." | "Public sector pensions do need to be reformed," he said. "But the government has to take its share of responsibility for the provocative way they have handled these negotiations." |
| How will you be affected? Are you planning to take part in the strike? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | How will you be affected? Are you planning to take part in the strike? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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