Number of days lost to strikes is highest since the Thatcher era

Squeeze on households continues as pay growth suffers one of its largest falls since records began in 2001

More working days were lost to strike action last year than at any time since 1989, according to official figures that also show wage growth failed to keep pace with inflation amid the biggest real-terms fall on record.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics provide more evidence for the squeeze on households amid the cost of living crisis.