Soldiers on standby to drive ambulances and fight fires during crippling strikes

THE military is on standby to drive ambulances and fight fires if a wave of strikes cripples the country.

It comes as RMT boss Mick Lynch last night rejected an offer from the Rail Delivery Group and demanded a meeting this morning to resolve the dispute.

Alamy

The decision to deploy troops has not yet been taken but is one of a number of options available[/caption]

Tom Farmer

Two thousand troops, civil servants and government volunteers are said to be ready to stave off chaos[/caption]

He said the offer, including an eight per cent rise over two years, would involve huge job losses, unsafe working practices and the closure of all ticket offices.

Mr Lynch added: “We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions.”

With a wave of walkouts now threatening rail, the NHS, Post Office, Border Force and Fire Brigade, ministers are drawing up a raft of emergency measures to protect the public.

Two thousand troops, civil servants and government volunteers are said to be ready to stave off chaos.

Plans are being worked on from Whitehall’s Cobra unit, which works on scenario planning for widespread disruption.

Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “It is the right and responsible thing to do to have contingency plans in place.”

The decision to deploy troops has not yet been taken but is one of a number of options available.

Public sector pay demands would cost £28billion — equivalent to £1,000 for every family.