The United Kingdom government said on Thursday (January 5) that it will introduce legislation soon to minimise service levels during strike action in essential sectors. The decision comes as the nation has been crippled because of the transport walkouts.&nbsp;

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said in a statement that the law would enforce a minimum level of service for fire, ambulance and rail services.&nbsp;

The government invited trade unions in for new talks to discuss public sector pay settlements in 2023-24 amid several strikes troubling the country across multiple sectors, including nurses and ambulance workers. Such strikes have increased fears that during such situations, lives could be put at risk.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Prince Harry accuses prince William of assault&nbsp;

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The report mentioned that a bill would be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks and it would include the health, education, fire and rescue, transport, border security and nuclear sectors.&nbsp;

In the written statement, Business Secretary Grant Shapps said that "as well as protecting the freedom to strike, the government must also protect life and livelihoods.&nbsp;

"While we hope that voluntary agreements can continue to be made in most cases, introducing minimum safety levels... will restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption."&nbsp;

While commenting on that, the Labour leader Keir Starmer said that his party will oppose the bill, and it faces a difficult passage through parliament. Starmer further noted that the law would "make a bad situation worse" and that he would repeal it.&nbsp;

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The United Kingdom government said on Thursday (January 5) that it will introduce legislation soon to minimise service levels during strike action in essential sectors.

The United Kingdom government said on Thursday (January 5) that it will introduce legislation soon to minimise service levels during strike action in essential sectors. The decision comes as the nation has been crippled because of the transport walkouts. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said in a statement that the law would enforce a minimum level of service for fire, ambulance and rail services. The government invited trade unions in for new talks to discuss public sector pay settlements in 2023-24 amid several strikes troubling the country across multiple sectors, including nurses and ambulance workers. Such strikes have increased fears that during such situations, lives could be put at risk. WATCH | Gravitas: Prince Harry accuses prince William of assault × The report mentioned that a bill would be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks and it would include the health, education, fire and rescue, transport, border security and nuclear sectors. In the written statement, Business Secretary Grant Shapps said that "as well as protecting the freedom to strike, the government must also protect life and livelihoods. "While we hope that voluntary agreements can continue to be made in most cases, introducing minimum safety levels... will restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption." While commenting on that, the Labour leader Keir Starmer said that his party will oppose the bill, and it faces a difficult passage through parliament. Starmer further noted that the law would "make a bad situation worse" and that he would repeal it. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK to introduce anti-strike bill amid a wave of strikes grip nation

The wave of strikes sweeping the United Kingdom reaches a peak this week, as rail strikes enters day two. Moreover, the Royal Mail staff are also joining rail workers in walking out today. Watch this video to know more.

UK: Royal Mail employees join rail workers on strike

UK PM Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure from Tory MPs to accelerate new strike-busting legislation as a wave of strikes is threatening a new winter of discontent this Christmas.

WION Dispatch: Rishi Sunak promises 'tough laws' to deal with 'unfair' union leaders

Workers at the UK's biggest rail union, the RMT, have planned to walk out from 6 pm on December 24 until December 27 over differences related to pay. The strike will hit festive travel over the weekend. However, union officials insisted the impact on passengers will be limited because the strike targets engineering works on Network Rail.&nbsp;

Government minister Nick Gibb said a pay offer was rejected by the union before they even consulted its own membership.&nbsp;

The strikes are in addition to the previously announced strikes. Over 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies are staging 48-hour walk-outs on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January 2023.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-inflation-spurs-to-41-year-high-before-jeremy-hunts-autumn-statement-534697">UK inflation soars to 41-year high before Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement</a>

Gibb told BBC that the strikes will affect the Christmas plans of "hundreds of thousands of people up and down the country" and urged the union to call them off.&nbsp;

Displaying regret, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the strikes were "caused by the government who are running the playbook and the strategy for the railway companies and directing what's going on".

He further said that passenger services will "wind down" earlier than usual on December 24.&nbsp;

Talking about the pay dispute, Lynch said that “we’ve got no choice” citing a “very poor” offer of a four per cent pay rise two years in a row which was rejected by the union.

Inflation in the country has topped 11 per cent and Lynch said that the train firms were holding the travelling public "to ransom". "We’ve been compelled to take this action because of the intransigence of the government".

Meanwhile, the public isn't happy with the strike, especially since it affects their holiday travel plans. Thirty-two per cent of citizens strongly oppose the strikes and 19 per cent are somewhat against it, according to a YouGov survey.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Workers at the UK's biggest rail union, the RMT, have planned to walk out from 6 pm on December 24 until December 27 over differences related to pay. The strike will hit festive travel over the weekend.

Workers at the UK's biggest rail union, the RMT, have planned to walk out from 6 pm on December 24 until December 27 over differences related to pay. The strike will hit festive travel over the weekend. However, union officials insisted the impact on passengers will be limited because the strike targets engineering works on Network Rail. Government minister Nick Gibb said a pay offer was rejected by the union before they even consulted its own membership. The strikes are in addition to the previously announced strikes. Over 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies are staging 48-hour walk-outs on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January 2023. Also Read | UK inflation soars to 41-year high before Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement Gibb told BBC that the strikes will affect the Christmas plans of "hundreds of thousands of people up and down the country" and urged the union to call them off. Displaying regret, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the strikes were "caused by the government who are running the playbook and the strategy for the railway companies and directing what's going on". He further said that passenger services will "wind down" earlier than usual on December 24. Talking about the pay dispute, Lynch said that “we’ve got no choice” citing a “very poor” offer of a four per cent pay rise two years in a row which was rejected by the union. Inflation in the country has topped 11 per cent and Lynch said that the train firms were holding the travelling public "to ransom". "We’ve been compelled to take this action because of the intransigence of the government". Meanwhile, the public isn't happy with the strike, especially since it affects their holiday travel plans. Thirty-two per cent of citizens strongly oppose the strikes and 19 per cent are somewhat against it, according to a YouGov survey. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK festive travel set to take a hit amid planned rail strikes from next week

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UK to introduce anti-strike bill amid a wave of strikes grip nation

UK: Royal Mail employees join rail workers on strike

WION Dispatch: Rishi Sunak promises 'tough laws' to deal with 'unfair' union leaders

UK festive travel set to take a hit amid planned rail strikes from next week