Hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK are striking today, in what's been described as the 'biggest' day of strike action in more than a decade.
Teachers, train drivers, and civil servants are among those walking out in the ongoing battle for better pay.
Around 85% of schools in England and Wales are believed to be fully or partially closed today due to the teacher strikes.
As many as 300,000 teachers, who are members of the National Education Union (NEU), are staging walkouts today, with around 23,000 schools in the two nations set to be affected.
Parents, carers, and guardians of school-aged children facing varying levels of disruption as a result.
Teachers are striking for a pay rise to be above inflation, and are asking for the UK government to fund the pay rise, instead of it coming from existing school budgets.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has previously called the teachers strikes "deeply disappointing", and claimed that the government has met teaching unions' requests for an extra £2 billion in school funding in England.
But these comments have been widely criticised by opposition, and deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has even accused the government of deliberately stoking the conflict.
Teachers taking part in picket lines across the UK on today's day of industrial action / Credit: NEU (via Twitter)
Aside from the teacher strikes, industrial action is also taking place in several other sectors.
Today is the first of two days of strike action by train drivers from the ASLEF and RMT unions in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions, while university lecturers and bus drivers are also staging walk-outs today too.
Civil servants are also staging walk-outs today, with around 123 government departments prepared to be disrupted by industrial action.
Overall, it's estimated that about 500,000 workers from all the different sectors mentioned are taking part in walkouts today, according to the Trades Union Congress, which would officially make it the "biggest" day of strike action in more than a decade.
The government has conceded in a statement addressing the mass strike action that today will be "very difficult" for the public.
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A new Turkish-inspired street food spot serving homemade shawarma is coming to Leeds city centre
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
1st February 2023 
