Britain is facing the largest strike of healthcare workers over wages

Britain’s health workers began their biggest strike on Monday, as tens of thousands of nurses and paramedics went on strike amid an escalating row with the government over pay that will lead to further disruptions to the public health system.

Nursing and ambulance workers have taken separate strikes since late last year, but Monday’s strike, involving workers from both fields, most of whom are in England, would mark the largest strike in the history of the 75-year-old public health system.

Stephen Boyce, medical director for NHS England, said nurses would strike on Tuesday, ambulance staff on Friday and physiotherapists would also strike on Thursday, making it likely the services’ biggest week yet.

Healthcare workers are calling for higher wages to match Britain’s worst inflation in four decades, while the government says it will cost more than it can afford and lead to more price hikes, thus raising interest rates and mortgage payments.

Some 500,000 workers and employees, many from the public sector, have gone on strike since last summer, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to resolve differences to limit the disruption to public services such as railways and schools.