Strikes: Disruption begins as freezing weather grips UK

Britain’s Christmas of discontent began in earnest today as the railways ground to a halt for the first – but not the last – time this month.

Members of the RMT union began the wave of 48-hour walkouts having yesterday rejected the latest pay offer.

With neither it or the government showing any signs of backing down, the disruption looks set to continue long after the tinsel has come down.