Prison officers stage walkout

Prison officers across England, Scotland and Wales have returned to work after their walkout over changes to their retirement age. The Government has described the action as "unlawful."

Prison staff, like police, are not legally allowed to go on strike, and called today's action a "protest."

Prisoner officers are angry their retirement age of 60, which was in line with police, army and fire service, has now been raised to 67 by the Government.

The Government branded today's action "unlawful" and the Ministry of Justice said ministers could seek an injunction to force staff to return to work. The protest meetings began at 7am and most staff had returned to work by 2pm. It coincided with public sector worker strikes and a march through central London by 20,000 police officers.

The action was sanctioned by the National Executive Committee.