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This simple calendar shows when the strikes are taking place this Christmas

File photo dated 01/10/2022 of rail workers on a picket line at Birmingham New Street Station, as rail union chiefs have been urged to
Rail workers on a picket line at Birmingham New Street station in October. Britain faces further strike action in the run-up to Christmas. (PA)

A wave of strikes is hitting Britain in the run-up to Christmas as workers across the country stage major walkouts.

Disputes over pay, pensions, jobs and conditions are set to escalate in the coming weeks and into January.

Union leaders are demanding pay rises and better working conditions from the government, with workers including train drivers, teachers and postal staff joining picket lines this month.

The latest strike action started on Wednesday, with teachers in Scotland staging a two-day walkout – with more strikes threatened unless there is a "significantly improved" pay offer.

Strikes cover most days in December and in the run-up to Christmas Day. (Yahoo News)
Strikes are due to take place on most days in December. (Yahoo News)

Nurses, ambulances and workers on the country's transport network are holding multiple strikes this month.

This has prompted the government to hold "significant planning meetings" in an attempt to manage the likely disruption from industrial action.

Downing Street said the decision to call off strikes ahead of Christmas "rests with the unions".

And Rishi Sunak has promised "tough" new laws to limit the impact of strikes and has not ruled out banning walkouts in emergency services, after Number 10 suggested his measures would also include widening anti-strike legislation to public services other than the police.

Watch: Rishi Sunak says government's pay offers 'reasonable' despite strikes

Meanwhile, rail unions have been accused of cancelling Christmas with their planned strike action over the festive period.

More than 40,000 railway workers, including cleaners, are due to walk out on 12 days over the next month in a long-running dispute over pay.

There may be delays for motorists too after road workers revealed they will down tools for 12 days to coincide with rail walkouts.

National Highways workers, who operate and maintain roads in England, will take part in a series of staggered strikes from 16 December to 7 January, the PCS union said.

Striking postal workers outside the Royal Mail Islington Delivery Office in north London. Picture date: Wednesday November 30, 2022.
Striking postal workers outside the Royal Mail Islington Delivery Office in north London during industrial action last month. (PA)

Strikes in several other industries are due to escalate in the coming weeks, starting with another walkout by Royal Mail workers on Friday, with three more planned this month.

Thousands of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will hold a rally outside parliament to coincide with the strike.

Elsewhere, ambulance workers in England and Wales have voted to strike on 21 December.

Border Force staff at airports will strike over Christmas, while nurses will stop walk out twice in separate disputes.

Mid-month strikes by Heathrow baggage handlers and Eurostar security staff will add to the travel misery, while strikes by bus drivers in the north-east and London are scheduled.