ClickAJob News

Many of the UK's public services have shut down today as 200,000 civil services take part in a national one day strike.

Organised by the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) the strike has already seen picket lines formed around major public services in central London such as the Treasury, statistical offices, the British library and several courts.

Workers from other cities, including Manchester, Brighton, Glasgow, Cardiff and Liverpool, will join in the strike over the loss of public service jobs, pay reductions and the privatisation of public services.

"Those on strike today aren't faceless bureaucrats or high flying mandarins, but people at the heart of public services providing the everyday things we take for granted from passports, tax and benefits to driving tests and courts," said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

"Today's strike illustrates the depth of anger over the damage crude job cuts are having and the growing frustration over below inflation pay offers."

The government has said that there is "no need" for the strikes, saying that its investment in public services is increasing.

Minister Pat McFadden said: "At a time when the government is increasing investment in public services no organisation, including the civil service, can be immune from the need for change, both to ensure value for money for the public and to adapt to new technology."

The Welsh Assembly will be closed today because of the strikes, and other disruptions include the closure of museums and galleries, the closure of tax offices and the rescheduling of court services.

Ports and airports will suffer some disruption, with many customs officers walking out on strike.

Many pensions will also be disrupted today as officers from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) go on strike.