More than 400,000 workers across a range of sectors are on strike in disputes over pay
It is thought to be the biggest day of industrial action since the current wave of unrest began last year
Teachers in England, civil servants, London Underground drivers and some BBC staff are among those downing tools
University workers say they've had a "breakthrough" in talks with employers about pay, working conditions and pensions
Junior doctors are into the final day of a 72-hour strike affecting hospitals across England
Some striking workers are protesting in central London - with teachers marching to Trafalgar Square and civil servants chanting outside Downing Street
Ministers have resisted demands for public sector pay rises to keep up with inflation
A strike by London Underground drivers has brought the entire Tube network to a halt this morning.
Drivers from two unions - Aslef and the RMT - have walked out in the ongoing dispute centred on pensions and working conditions.
Right now the London Overground, DLR, Tram and Elizabeth Line are showing good service on TFL's website.
Image source, .
Hazel Shearing
Education correspondent
Teacher strikes are taking place today and tomorrow in England. And there is added pressure because of progress that’s been made in Wales and Scotland.
In Wales, the NEU paused action after Welsh government talks. It is consulting members on an increased pay offer of 8% for 2022-23 (6.5% plus a one off payment of 1.5%) and a 5% increase for 2023/24.
In Scotland, strikes were called off after the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association accepted a new pay deal.
The NASUWT is still consulting its members.
Teachers have been offered a 7% rise for 2022-23, which would be backdated to April. They have also been offered a 5% rise in April 2023, and a 2% in January 2024.
In Northern Ireland, five unions are taking action short of a strike.
Image source, Getty ImagesChildcare options
Many parents will be taking time off work or relying on relatives or friends to look after their children today. If you need to take leave to look after your children, you can take time off work for emergency childcare, external but you will need to check with your employer if you will be paid. You might also be able to take annual leave or unpaid parental leave.
Breakfast and after-school clubs
If your child attends a breakfast or after-school club on school premises, head teachers will make the decision on whether there is enough staff to run it safely.
Free school meals
If your child is eligible for benefits-related free school meals your child should still receive a meal or an alternative like a packed lunch.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt’s about pay.
Teachers' salaries fell by an average of 11% in real terms between 2010 and 2022, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Unions claim teacher pay has fallen by as much as 23% in that time.
In England, most teachers had a 5% rise last year.
Unions argue these are pay cuts because of inflation, but the government says it has already agreed to an extra £2bn in school funding in England. The NEU is calling for a full-funded pay rise, so that any rise does not have to be paid out of schools' existing budgets.
In Wales, strike action has been called off this week while the NEU consults with members on a recent offer.
In Scotland, strikes have also been suspended after the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association accepted a new pay deal. The NASUWT is still consulting its members.
Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter
Strikes, strikes, strikes. It feels like everywhere you look this morning, there’s industrial action happening.
Teachers, civil servants and London Underground staff are all walking out today, and it’s also the final day of the junior doctors’ strike which began on Monday.
Our colleagues in BBC local radio are also striking for 24 hours from 11:00 GMT over proposed cuts affecting stations across the UK.
I’ll be hosting this morning’s coverage along with Alice Evans and Beth Timmins - we’ll be bringing you updates from around the country as well as all the latest reaction.
And don’t forget, it’s also budget day. My colleague Andrew Humphrey is hosting our coverage of that, stay across it here