Public sector strikes - Latest

4.49pm - Have you voted in our poll yet? Those against the strike are taking a lead now.

4.45pm - We've had an email from Louise Foster-Wilson, Keighley and Airedale GMB Branch Secretary: "I along with many others from Airedale Hospital where I work, reluctantly went on strike today and stood on the picket line.

"As a nurse it's something I never thought I would be doing but the proposed changes to our pensions have caused real anger. To pay more, to work longer, to get less (effectively paying a tax to cover the bankers defecit) is not acceptable.

"While we knew of the strength of support within our unions what has been heartwarming has been the support from others we have met. From the passers by who have sounded their horn in support or even shouted, to the man who moved me the most.

"At the rally in town a man who stated he wasn't in any union stood and spoke. He said he was there to simply give us his support because we all provided the services we needed and for that he thanked us. Sir I thank you too. You proved that the governments lies and rhetoric are being ignored, perhaps the peoples voices will win in the end."

3.40pm - Make sure you pick up tomorrow's T&A for four pages of local and national strike coverage.

3.37pm - Youtube user "DJAlbertFreeman" has uploaded this video of the Centenary Square demo:

3.33pm - On our earlier story, "flashdonut" wrote: "Errr. The recession forced my company to make redundancies. So I do have to do other peoples work. I have not had a pay rise in 4 years. We were also asked to take a 20% pay reduction every 3rd month to avoid more redundancies (this lasted for 14months) So I am worse off. A lot of of the Public Sector got a pay rise - even though there was a pay freeze. Because you moved up the scale in your payment band. I know this, because my sister is a teacher.

"I took it. Because that is how the world is at the moment. Sure I want 3% pay increase every year, and I don't want to have to work 9 and a half hour days and Saturday mornings when I am contracted to a 39 hour week.

"But when my alarm goes off, i wake up in 2011, in England. Not in a Fairy Tale or some make believe land.

"The country (and the rst of the world more or less) is crocked. Admit it, except it, move on."

Join in the debate!

3.22pm - Strike in pictures... see more at our picture gallery.

3.19pm - On Twitter, @David_Harney writes: "Early estimates of 50,000 have joined the Rally in London...Some damp squib Cameron! #N30 #Strike #Solidarity"

3.16pm - Press Association: "Public sector workers enjoy a "pay premium" worth almost £2,000 a year over equivalent employees in the private sector, a free market think-tank claimed today.

A typical public sector worker will earn £1,900 more over a year, even after the two-year pay freeze imposed by Chancellor George Osborne, said Policy Exchange.

Mr Osborne yesterday announced a one per cent limit on pay rises in the public sector in each of the two years after the cap is lifted.

3.05pm - Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Chief Executive David Whiting says: “We have taken a number of steps to ensure we keep the level of disruption to patient care to a minimum while some staff are taking part in the national industrial action. “However, to help us as much as possible I would urge members of the public only to call 999 for an ambulance in an emergency when it is obvious that someone has a serious or life-threatening illness or injury.

“We also ask that anyone requiring advice or treatment for a non-emergency situation or minor ailment considers options such as self-care, a visit to a local pharmacist, GP surgery or walk-in centre.

“Our staff and volunteers are working extremely hard to ensure we are able to provide emergency medical assistance for local people who call upon us for help. I would also like to thank members of the public for their patience and would ask for their continued support and understanding throughout the day.”

3.02pm - Some very lively comments on the strikes on this T&A news story from earlier.

2.53pm - Yorkshire Ambulance Service is operating at "reduced level" until 6pm due to the stoppages.

2.37pm - More video from Centenary Square:

2.32pm Latest video - Strikers talk

2.24pm - Two opposing views there, but which one do you subscribe to? There's only one way to find out...

2.22pm - On Twitter, @CraftyBat writes: "The people who have been affected by this strike aren't the people who are making the decisions. The government think strike is damp squib."

2.19pm - On Twitter, @sarahcartin writes: "It was a fantastic turnout at #bradford #N30 rally - amazing mix of people and great atmosphere. All to the sound of Unison vuvuzelas!"

2.09pm - Some images from our picture gallery of today's strikes:

1.34pm - Tell us your strike experiences - find us on Twitter @Bradford_TandA, email us at newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk, text us (including pictures and video) to 80360, prefacing your message or media TANEWS.

1.17pm - Wondering which schools in Bradford are closed today? Check out our full list here.

1.13pm - From the Press Association: Prime Minister David Cameron today claimed that industrial action involving public sector workers across the country was "looking like something of a damp squib".

Unions have described the strike by up to two million public sector workers as "historic" after walkouts closed down schools, courts, museums and JobCentres and disrupted transport, hospitals and Government departments.

But Mr Cameron branded the industrial action "irresponsible and damaging" and told the House of Commons that support among public sector workers had been far from universal.

What's your view: Vote here:

12.52pm - Members of Bradford College students' union were out in support of the strikers.

12.49pm - Press Association reports Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband clashed over the strikes at PMQs:

David Cameron insisted that reforms to public sector pensions were "absolutely essential" as millions of teachers and civil servants took part in a mass walkout.

The Prime Minister was involved in heated exchanges in the Commons with Labour leader Ed Miliband, who he accused of being "irresponsible, left-wing and weak" for refusing to condemn the strike.

Mr Miliband accused the premier of "spoiling for this fight" with the unions as the pair clashed at Prime Minister's Question Time.

With picket lines outside Parliament, Mr Miliband asked: "Why do you think so many decent, hard-working public sector workers, many of whom have never been on strike before, feel the Government simply isn't listening?"

12.47pm - YouTube video of rally in Centenary Square posted by MartinBond:

12.40pm - Early indications are that there were around 1,000 people attending the Centenary Square rally.

12.27pm - Latest video from Centenary Square rally:

12.24pm - On Twitter, @toddmustgo writes: "striking is a workers tactic of last resort, our wages, working conditions, job security and pensions are all under attack!"

12.18pm - Ilkley Town Hall and The Coronation Hospital are both operating reduced services today.

Bradford Council’s office within the town hall is shut all day and a number of departments at the hospital in Springs Lane are closed, including psychology, physiotherapy and x-ray.

The tourist information centre and the town council office remains open along with Ilkley Pool and the household waste centre in Golden Butts Road. Ilkley library is open but us expected to close early at 5pm.

12.17pm - It's pretty much neck and neck in our ballot - have you voted yet?

12 noon - Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude says: "Cabinet Office minister Mr Maude said: "I want to thank the majority of dedicated and committed public sector workers who have turned up to work today to deliver essential services.

"I can reassure the public that we are doing all that we can to keep essential services open. Our rigorous contingency planning is in place across all sectors to limit the impact of the strike action. Early indications show it is working well and that the majority of key public services remain open.

"Today's strike is inappropriate, untimely and irresponsible, especially while talks are ongoing. Responsibility for any disruption which people may experience today lies squarely with union leaders.

"Claims this morning that there are no negotiations going on are simply not true. There were formal discussions with the Civil Service unions only yesterday and there will be formal discussions with the teaching unions tomorrow and health on Friday.

"In addition, there are frequent informal contacts between the Government and the TUC. All of this underlines how indefensible today's strike is while these talks at scheme level are moving forward."

11.58am - Prime Minister's Questions due to start in House of Commons imminently. Should be lively.

11.56am - Crowds dispersing from Centenary Square and heading back to their individual picket lines.

11.50am - Conservative Councillor Simon Cooke, on his blog, refers to a comment on a T&A story and highlights some opposition to the strikes.

11.46am - Speeches drawing to a close in Centenary Square.

11.41am - On Twitter, @jamesclayton writes: "No idea what union speakers at #N30 #Bradford rally are saying, but they know how to mobilise a crowd."

11.35am - Aviation bosses say it is “business as usual” at Leeds Bradford Airport - despite industrial action by immigrations and customs workers.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are picketing the UK Border Agency office in Leeds.

An airport spokesman said: “There is no disruption at all with the UKBA. Everything is business as usual.” Joel Hayes, PCS union branch secretary for the UKBA in West Yorkshire, said senior managers and police officers had been brought in to provide cover at the airport.

He added: “The strikes are very well supported from members of all the unions based at Leeds Bradford Airport.”

11.33am - Press Association says: "A strike by up to two million public sector workers has been hailed as 'historic' - closing schools, courts, museums and jobcentres, and disrupting transport, hospitals and Government departments.

Unions reported huge support for the 24-hour walkout in the bitter row over pensions, but warnings of massive delays at Heathrow airport failed to materialise, with passengers saying border controls were "better than usual".

11.25am - Ian Murch from ATL says: "We are paying more, working longer, and getting less."

11.23am Our City Hall reporter Jo Winrow is in Centenary Square. She reports huge roar of approval as another day of strike action is called for. Rob Williams of the PCSU union on the microphone, saying that the unions will win the battle against the Government. Lots of noise, horns being sounded, huge cheers.

11.20am - The Centenary Square gathering is underway. Hundreds of strikers have gathered to hear speeches from the City Hall steps. Calls for yet another day of strike action.

11.18am - Gathering of teachers' unions (NASUWT, NAHT, UCU, ATL, NUT) at the Hilton hotel, Hall Ings, Bradford. Coun Ralph Berry gives speech in support of striking teachers, as does Ian Murch of ATL union.

11.11am - More video of strikers.

11.09 - Video of this morning's strikers.

11.05am - Have your say - vote in our quickfire ballot on today's strikes here:

11.01am - We've put a gallery of pictures up of the strike action so far - click here.

10.55am - On Twitter, @djalbertfreeman writes: "There are hundreds of us making noise in Centenary Square. #N30 #strike #Unison #pensions #Bradford"

10.50am - Outside Bradford University around 40 people gathered with placards, balloons. Dave Ewen, co-president of the university branch of the union UCU tells us: "We are here to defend our pension scheme against an unjustified money-grab."

10.49am - Here's a map of the major strike locations in the district:

10.42am - Union bosses delivering speeches right now at the Hilton hotel prior to leading the strikers over to Centenary Square for the main rally.

10.30am - Cases at Bradford Crown Court would normally be getting going now. The complex is largely closed, with one court operating.

10.27am - Jackie Smith, Unison branch secretary for Bradford health said the support had been fantastic so far this morning.

"If the Government had asked me to put money into the pension because it was unaffordable I would have done that, but our scheme is affordable now as it was reviewed about four years ago and our contributions increased.

"The money they want to take off us now wouldn't go into the pension scheme, it would go to the Treasury - and I object to being taxed for working for the NHS."

10.25am - Striking NHS staff manning picket lines at all seven entrances to Bradford Royal Infirmary this morning.

10.20am - Strikers with placards are gathering in and outside the Hilton hotel on Hall Ings. More protesters arriving at the NCP car park, with flags and banners.

Check in here throughout today for updates on how the massive public sector strikes are panning out.

Update us with your own news on today's actions, whether you have been badly affected by the stoppages or if you support the strikers. You can find us on twitter at: @Bradford_TandA and on facebook, you can email us directly on newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk and you can send us your comments, videos and pictures of today's events by clicking here or by texting us (beginning your message TANEWS) to 80360.