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The Army could be drafted in to limit the disruption caused by a strike planned for early Christmas.
Military personnel could be deployed as ambulance drivers and firefighters, the government said.
It said around 2,000 military personnel, civilian employees and volunteers are being trained to support various services, including the Border Force, at airports and ports.
It said a decision on deploying troops was yet to be made, but that troops “are part of a range of options available and should be deployed in these areas as planned”.
The UK is facing a wave of strikes this winter, which will affect services including transport, the NHS, education and delivery drivers.
Thousands of people are expected to take industrial action as the UK grapples with recession and a cost of living crisis.
read more:
Strikes every day before Christmas – which sectors are affected and why
“Multiple unions have decided to go on strike in the coming weeks, causing millions of people to face disruption over the Christmas period,” the government said.
“Many unions are asking for increases in line with inflation or even higher – despite comparable increases in the private sector averaging between four and six per cent so far this year.
“The Government recognizes that these are very challenging economic times. That’s why it is focusing on getting inflation under control as the best way to help everyone’s finances stretch further and avoid rising inflation in the UK economy.”
The government added: “There is still time to call off the planned strike and ministers have repeatedly called on unions and employers to continue to talk and come to an agreement, rather than taking pre-emptive industrial action.”
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