Rishi Sunak has said he is “sad and disappointed” that strikes are threatening to disrupt Christmas getaways.

The prime minister admitted setting public sector pay was a “difficult question” but insisted that “the government has acted fairly and reasonably in accepting all the recommendations of the independent public sector pay review bodies”.

Hundreds of thousands of workers across many sectors of the economy have gone on strike or are planning to this winter as unions seek pay rises for their members during the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation.

Border Force staff at the UK’s busiest airports walked out today, threatening delays for air travellers.

Mr Sunak said: “I am sad and disappointed about the disruption that is being caused to so so many people’s lives, particularly at Christmas time.”

He urged everyone travelling to check before setting off to ensure they have minimum disruption to their journey.

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