Key unions are this week considering whether to press ahead with further industrial action in a series of disputes with the government.

The Public and Commercial Services Union is to consider the possibility of further strike action as its dispute with the Department for Work and Pensions continues.

And London members of the Fire Brigades Union are to vote on industrial action as part of a dispute over their involvement in answering medical calls.

Elsewhere, the British Airline Pilots Association has expressed its opposition to EU plans, set to be agreed this week, to increase the maximum time pilots are allowed to be on duty from 12 to 14 hours.