Thousands of UK schools, colleges, courts, Government offices and jobcentres will be closed or disrupted today when teachers, civil servants and other workers stage the biggest strike for five years, in a bitter row over pensions.

A strike by up to 750,000 teachers, civil servants and other public sector workers in the UK is set to go ahead after crunch talks with the Government today failed to end a bitter row over pensions and spending cuts.

Protesters marching against plans to increase student tuition fees have clashed with police in London’s West End.

Protesters in London attacked a police van today as crowds swelled during angry demonstrations against rising university tuition fees.