The country is set for a week of disruption to train travel as the biggest rail strike in modern history is set to take place.

On top of this, teachers, doctors and binmen could also join in taking action this summer.

Unions representing health and education workers warned of potential industrial action in the autumn.

The NASUWT teaching union confirmed its 300,000 members would be balloted unless the government agrees to a 12% pay rise.

General secretary Patrick Roach said Britain faced an ‘existential emergency for the future of the teaching profession because of the cost-of-living crisis coupled with real-terms pay cuts’.

He added: ‘The government wrongly assumed teachers would simply stand by as they erode pay and strip our education system to the bone.

‘If a pay rise is not awarded, it will be won by our members in workplaces through industrial action.’

The National Education Union is also set to ballot 460,000 members which include support staff, teachers and lecturers unless pay rises alongside inflation.

Joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: ‘If there is no significant improvement on 3% – which will leave an 8% gap with inflation this year alone – we cannot avoid a ballot. The mood among teachers has changed.

‘Last year the issue was mainly workload. This year it is workload and pay.’

Unison, the biggest union, indicated half a million NHS workers could strike over the upcoming NHS pay offer which is expected in June, if the pay offer falls short of inflation.

The walkout would likely ground much of the NHS to a halt, with appointments and operations cancelled if doctors go on strike.

It has led the national medical director of NHS England, Professor Sir Stephen Powis to say it is ‘vital’ people seek appointments and treatment despite the disruption.

General secretary Christina McAnea said: ‘The government has a simple choice. Either it makes a sensible pay award, investing in staff and services and reducing delays for patients or it risks a potential dispute, growing workforce shortages and increased suffering for the sick.’

Posties, bin collectors and lawyers are also considering going on strike.

The Unison, GMB and Unite unions have said local government staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should receive a pay increase of at least £2,000 each. Workers include rubbish collectors, library staff, teaching assistants and care workers.

Unite said it will support ‘any action’ by workers to achieve a pay rise.

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