It comes after PCS members returned an average Yes vote for industrial action across the areas balloted of 86.2%, the highest percentage vote in the union’s history.

According to the union, the Cabinet Office did not make any proposals that addressed its demands for a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms.

As a result, the union’s elected national executive committee (NEC) agreed an initial programme of strike action in the Home Office, including the Border Force, across the Department for Transport and in Defra, affecting ports, borders and all areas of transport. 

The NEC will be meeting again to consider further strikes if there are no proposals from the Cabinet Office made soon.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "PCS members are angry. They helped to keep this country running during the pandemic, and in return, have been treated appallingly by this government. With inflation now at 11.1%, it is inconceivable that they are expected to cope with yet another real terms pay cut.

"With tens of thousands of members on poverty pay it is no longer about tightening belts, but about choosing between heating and eating – and that is simply not acceptable for the government’s own workforce."