Photos: UK nurses begin historic strike as risk of more walkouts grows

Nurses have begun a round of historic strikes as Britain faces the prospect of heightened industrial action extending into next year.

The Royal College of Nursing said that as many as 100,000 staff would take part in Thursday's strike across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in protest over a below-inflation pay offer.

The walkouts will affect hospitals such as Guy's, St Thomas's and Great Ormond Street in London, and be repeated on Dec. 20.

Pat Cullen, the RCN's general secretary, called the strikes a "tragic first," adding: "Nursing staff on picket lines is a sign of failure on the part of governments." It is by far the most widespread nurses' strike in the history of Britain's health service.

The RCN could announce extra strikes dates for 2023 next week if a pay deal is not agreed, the Times newspaper in London reported.

NHS nurses display signs as they strike, due to a dispute with the government over pay, outside St Thomas' Hospital in London, Britain.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Wednesday that the government has "consistently spoken to all unions involved in pay disputes," adding that it had responded to nurses' requests for more training and money for nursing students, while also awarding them a pay rise last year when the pay of other public sector workers was frozen.

Strikes have spread across a number of sectors and include rail staff, ambulance drivers, postal workers and civil servants. Ministers will meet Mick Lynch, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' general secretary, today alongside representatives from Network Rail and train companies.

The RMT has refused to accept recent pay offers and is planning strikes across Christmas and into the new year.

People stand on a Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) picket line outside Lime Street Station as rail workers strike over pay and terms, in Liverpool, Britain.

People take part in a rally organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), in support of Royal Mail postal workers who are on strike, in Parliament Square in central London.

The Communication Workers Union said postal workers had voted overwhelmingly for more strikes this year and next, affecting deliveries in the run-up to Christmas and opening hours at post offices.

People take part in a rally organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), in support of Royal Mail postal workers who are on strike.