UK's public sector on strike

Airports, jobcentres, courts, libraries, museums and tax offices face varying degrees of disruption with 750,000 public sector workers expected to join the walkouts. But schools will bear the brunt of the action.

The British National Union of Teachers said that up to 85% of schools in England and Wales will be affected.

The action has been criticised by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the leader of the opposition, Ed Miliband.

The British Chambers of Commerce said that the 24-hour stoppage will result in tens of thousands of parents having to take a day off work to look after their children.

Director general David Frost said: "Many of those private sector employees affected by these strikes envy the better working terms and conditions enjoyed by those in the public sector."

The government is cutting £80bn from public spending and insists that everyone must share the pain. It has described the measures as tough but fair.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said that strikes would not be widely supported:

"The public have a very low tolerance for anything that disrupts their hardworking lifestyles."

The UK Border Agency has warned that passengers travelling into Britain may face long delays at ports and airports as passport officers join the strike.

The impact started last night as immigration and customs officials began striking.

Unions say this is just the beginning of action.

Mark Serwotka, leader of the Public and Commercial Services Union said: "Today we will see hundreds of thousands of civil and public servants on strike. We fully expect to be joined by millions more in the autumn."