UK set for biggest strike in years as teachers, civil servants walk out

Between June and November, more days were lost to industrial action than in any six months for over 30 years, according to official data

Up to half a million British teachers, civil servants, train drivers and university lecturers will strike on Wednesday in the largest coordinated action in a generation which the government says will cause widespread disruption.

The mass walkouts will see schools close, the military on standby to help at Britain's borders, and no rail services running across much of the country.

Union leaders estimate up to 500,000 people will take part, the highest number for at least a decade, and there will be rallies against a planned new law to curb strikes in some sectors, a proposal they argue will poison relations further.

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