Protesters have returned to major cities across Europe to voice their anger of the rising cost of living across the continent, exacerbated by the needless assignment of funds to the war in Ukraine.

Half a million people from across the public sector came out on the streets in England and Wales demanding better pay and working conditions.

The wave of ongoing strikes by the UK health staff has made the workloads “more challenging”, NHS chief has warned.

Union leaders hold protests outside 10 Downing Street while MPs are debating legislation which would see striking workers in key sectors legally required to provide a minimum service.

It took months to arrange, but only hours to fail. Negotiations between unions and the UK Government aimed at working out pay deals to prevent another wave of public sector disruptions.

The RMT Union, which represents rail workers across Britain, has for many months been asking the government for better working conditions and an increase in their pay to match the double digit inflation.

“Patients are forced to wait longer for vital operations because the Conservatives have failed to train enough staff over the past 12 years,” shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said.