PM admits 'many' military personnel will miss Christmas as they cover public sector strikes

The Prime Minister has said "many" Armed Forces personnel are going to miss Christmas to cover public service strikes.

Speaking from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, Rishi Sunak said the UK owes personnel an "enormous debt of gratitude" for helping the country deal with the strikes.

"I had the opportunity to say thank you to some of our Armed Forces personnel because many of them are going to miss Christmas to help us deal with the disruption from strikes," he said.

• Covering strikes will place 'huge burden' on military, MP says
• Minister 'sincerely hopes' troops' Christmas leave will not be cancelled due to strikes
• Military on stand-by as country prepares for wave of strikes

"Whether that's manning border posts or driving ambulances, and we all owe them an enormous debt of gratitude."

Mr Sunak also refused to rule out extending "tough" new anti-strike laws to prevent walkouts by emergency service workers such as nurses.

The Prime Minister said "we're looking at all options" when asked about the scope of the legislation to limit the impact of strikes, but declined to give details.

It comes after defence minister Dr Andrew Murrison told Forces News he "sincerely hopes" Christmas leave will not be cancelled for members of the Armed Forces to cover strikes.

The chair of the Defence Select Committee also said relying on the Armed Forces to fill the gaps left by strikes would place a "huge burden" on the military.

Tobias Ellwood told BBC Newsnight: "There's clear appreciation for the work our public sector carries out, not least the NHS, but unions that are representing rail, bus, highways, Border Force, teachers, nurses, ambulances, even baggage handlers at Heathrow, are all, coincidentally, choosing to strike at exactly the same time.

"This is unprecedented and, from my perspective, will place a huge burden on our Armed Forces that we then normally lean on to step in."