The government is considering tough new laws amid the winter’s strikes, according to Rishi Sunak.
The legislation, which unions claim is anti-worker, is anticipated to include a ban on strikes from all blue light services and minimum service levels for public services.
Mr Sunak said: “I’m not going to get into details now, we’re looking at all options.
“But what I can say is my priority is to always be reasonable – and that’s what we’re going to continue to do – but also to make sure we protect lives and minimise the disruption to people’s lives.”
He added: “We’re looking at everything right now at pace but my priority is going to be to protect lives and to minimise the disruption on people’s lives.
“So the government is trying its best to act reasonably, that’s why we’ve accepted in full the recommendations of independent bodies who make recommendations to the Government about pay settlements in the public sector, and often those pay settlements have been higher than what many people in the private sector are receiving, but the government accepted them in full to be reasonable, to be fair.
“But it’s right now that we also look to minimise the disruption on people’s lives and that’s why we’re looking at tough new laws.”