In what the unions claim to be the biggest single day industrial strike since the Winter of Discontent; government offices including schools and health services are affected throughout the UK. The strike is accompanied by widespread demonstrations, which have crossed 1000 in numbers. The strike is organized to oppose the government scheme that seeks employees to work longer and to pay more in order to get the pension benefits.

While the chancellor urged for talks, the strike is disrupting the daily life of citizens. The Department of Education has demanded 13 percent schools and academics to be funded by government.

While the air transport is largely reported to be unaffected, Heathrow—one of the two biggest airports of Britain– is reported to have employed Home Office staff and police to man the immigration services desks.

The northern parts of Ireland are affected as it is reported to operate no train or bus services and majority of the schools and colleges will remain closed. As per the union estimates, about 300 thousand workers in Scotland are on strike; whereas in Wales, 170 thousand public sector workers are on strike and are actively taking part in actions.

England,as per the government estimates, has about 400 thousand paramedics on strike. It has led to postponing of 60 thousand non-urgent appointments. The number of affected appointments in Scotland is estimated to be over 3000. These appointments include non-urgent operations as well.

With an estimated over 2 million workers on strike in all, the Chancellor George Osborne has ruled the strike will lead to nothing but weakening of the nation’s economy. Although he urged officials to engage in talks to resolve the contention, he added it was necessary to make difficult choices to keep the country from being bankrupt.

On the other hand Labour leader Ed Miliband said while he had sympathy for those affected by the strike, he would welcome the decision by health staff and teachers to go on strike. He said the employees have been “put in an impossible position” and the government is not negotiating properly.

Unions blame the government is pushing the workers on more and more work for lesser benefits to throw the burdens of economy on their shoulders. Weather-forecasting staffs at Meteorological Office, a section of staff in the House of Commons are on strike as well.