The coalition government faces the first industrial uprising against its austerity measures today as up to 750,000 public servants strike over planned changes to their pensions.

A third of schools are expected to close and two-thirds of universities have cancelled lectures. Benefits will go unpaid, court cases will be postponed, police leave has been cancelled in London and airports are bracing themselves for backlogs at immigration.

Mark Serwotka, leader of the Public and Commercial Services union, said it was the most important strike in his union's history. "Everything we have ever worked for is under attack," he added.