UK: Public Sector Strikes Will Cost Economy £500m

Public sector strikes next Wednesday could cost half a billion pounds and will cause a "self-inflicted wound" on the economy, the Government has said.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has criticised the harm the walk-out could do to the economic recovery.
He also warned the unions there is "no more money on the table".
It comes as it emerged civil servants have been approached to man the UK's borders during next week's public sector strike.
It is thought 18,000 immigration officials will be among the workers due to walk out on November 30 in a dispute over pensions.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has also asked staff working in embassies and high commissions in South Africa, India and Russia to return to Britain to help cover for their striking colleagues.
It is hoped they will be joined by Whitehall officials in order to try to reduce the impact of the industrial action.
The UKBA is concerned the strike will lead to long queues at passport control at the the country's ports and airports.
A UKBA spokesman said any replacement staff would be given "the necessary level of training" to carry out the job:
"The security of the UK border remains our top priority and we will explore all options to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action."
The Government has said contingency plans are under way to try to limit the impact of the strike but have not given any details.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "If a large-scale strike goes ahead next week, that will have an impact on people and families across the country.
"Strikes are not costless. They have an impact and we have to do what we can to mitigate that."