Probation officers in England and Wales vote for strike action over pay and workloads

Move deals blow to government's plans to release thousands of prisoners early to tackle prison overcrowding

The government's plans to release thousands of prisoners early were dealt a blow on Friday after probation officers across England and Wales voted to strike over pay and excessive workloads.

Members of the union, Napo, backed overtime restrictions and other forms of action short of a strike, which is likely to start on 23 November. Plans are being made for strike action to follow at a later stage.