Industrial action 'up five times'

Five times as many working days were lost to industrial disputes last year as in 2005.

The new figures by the Office for National Statistics show there were 158 separate stoppages in 2006, more than in the previous two years put together.

Most of the 754,500 days lost last year were in public administration and defence, fuelled by disputes over job cuts and conditions in the civil service.

Around 40,000 days were lost in transport and communication and 31,000 in education.

The North West had the highest "strike rate" at 53 days lost per 1,000 workers, followed by Wales and the North East.

The strike rate was lowest in the South East, at five days lost per 1,000 workers.

The number of working days lost in private firms last year because of disputes increased from 58,900 to 98,300.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.