Strike action: What do teachers, firefighters and others want?

Hundreds of thousands of workers - including teachers, civil servants and rail workers - have been on strike.

Most of those taking part want more pay, to keep up with rising prices.

Who is allowed to strike?

Industrial action by workers in many different sectors has been organised by trade unions. Certain rules - like giving enough notice - must be met.

Teachers

• The next teachers' strike in England and Wales is on 15 and 16 March. There will also be regional strikes on other days
• In Scotland, teachers are striking in two local authorities per day until 6 February
• The government says it has already agreed to an extra £2bn in school funding

Rail workers

• Train drivers represented by Aslef and the RMT have been on strike over the winter but currently there are no fresh strikes scheduled
• The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions
• Rail industry bosses say changes need to be agreed to afford pay increases and modernise the railway

Civil servants

• Around 100,000 civil servants will strike on 15 March, the day the chancellor unveils the Spring Budget
• The action involves union members across 124 government departments
• Some civil servants - including Border Force staff - have already been on strike
• The Public and Commercial Services union is calling for a 10% pay rise, better pensions, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms
• The government says it is in "regular discussion with unions and staff"

University staff

• Around 70,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) will strike at 150 universities across the UK for 18 days in February and March
• The UCU wants a pay rise worth either 2% above RPI inflation, or 12% (whichever is higher), pension benefits restored and "excessive workloads" tackled
• An increase in pay puts jobs at risk, the Universities and College Employers Association says

Bus drivers

• Abellio bus drivers in London have been holding strikes
• The Unite union is calling for a pay rise to reflect the cost of living

Firefighters

• Firefighters across the UK have voted to strike, but no dates have been announced
• If industrial action goes ahead, it would be the first UK-wide fire strike over pay since 2003
• The Fire Brigades Union says it wants a "a credible offer" after members rejected a 5% pay offer
• The government says a strike would be "disappointing and concerning"

Ambulance workers

• Ambulance workers are striking over several more days in February in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further strikes will be held in England and Wales during March. The days vary between ambulance services
• Ambulance workers want an above-inflation pay rise
• The government says pay rises are decided by independent pay review bodies and higher ones are unaffordable

Nurses

• Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union walked out on 6 and 7 February in England
• The RCN wants a rise of 5% above inflation, but has indicated it may meet the government "halfway"
• The government in England says this year's pay award - a 4.75% average increase - is in line with the recommendation from the NHS Pay Review Body. It says the RCN pay demands are unaffordable
• In Scotland, strikes have been put on hold to allow talks on a 2023 pay offer

Physiotherapists

• NHS physiotherapy staff across England are holding a second strike 9 February
• More than 4,000 staff are due to take part
• The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says it is seeking an above-inflation pay rise

Midwives

• Members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales will walk out over pay on 7 February
• The RCM said the action will not affect services for women in labour or needing emergency care