Talks open to resolve pensions dispute

Teaching unions held talks with the government today, while the health service unions will meet government officials on Friday. Education Secretary Michael Gove described today’s talks as “cordial and constructive”.

Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the University and College Union said she would continue trying to find a negotiated settlement to the planned changes to pensions. “If we cannot make progress, we may need to consider further strike and other action alongside our colleagues in other unions, where appropriate”, she added.

Unions said about 2 million workers took industrial action over the government’s controversial pension reforms

But David Cameron said the “irresponsible and damaging” walkout had been a “damp squib” and was not as widely supported as claimed.

The strike closed more than three-quarters of schools in England, as well as courts, museums, libraries and jobcentres, disrupted transport, hospitals and government departments, and led to around 15 per cent of driving tests being cancelled.

In London, police were called in to help the London Ambulance Service attend emergencies after thousands of NHS workers went on strike.

Pensions strike map: what happened where

The Department of Health drew criticism from the unions after it ordered NHS trusts in England to not release figures regarding staff on strike or the number of cancelled operations and appointments.

Meanwhile, the BBC was forced to apologise after Jeremy Clarkson declared he would like to see striking public sector workers “shot” in front of their families.

The presenter said: “How dare they go on strike when they’ve got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?”

Mr Clarkson has now also apologised for his remarks – after the BBC received more than 4,700 complaints.

Public sector strike - historic day or damp squib?