400,000 UK civil servants strike over pay

London: 400,000 civil servants in the UK went on strike on Thursday over disputes over pay – the biggest protest action since the ruling Labour party came to power a decade ago.

Teachers, College lecturers, coastguards, driving examiners among others are refusing to turn up to work, forcing the closure of thousands of schools, and hundreds of government departments and agencies.

At least a million children will be affected by the strike action.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the strike was “very regrettable'' and said he hoped teachers would “reconsider'' any further action.

Meanwhile the leader of the main civil service union Mark Serwotka said workers faced an “unprecedented attack'' from the government because of a large-scale job cull over the last five years.

The strike is expected to cost businesses up to ₤68 million (Dh 494 million).