2 million public sector workers went on strike today in what was expected to be Britain’s biggest industrial walkout in 30 years. As health workers, teachers, immigration officers, binmen, CPS solicitors, transport police and probation officers joined picket lines across the country, I took myself down to Manchester city centre to cover a march of 20,000 frustrated workers whose pensions and jobs are at risk from government cuts.
A call for solidarity written on the walls of Manchester University, Oxford Road, Manchester.
An anti-Conservative sticker on a lampost in Manchester city centre.
Radiographers arrive early to the picket line outside Manchester Infimary on the morning of November 30th.
A police horse waits patiently on Deansgate for the rally to start.
Mounted policemen and women prepare to escort the march through Manchester city centre.
TUC stewards get ready to lead the march from Liverpool Street to Whitworth Park.
A woman blows her vuvuzuela on the march to the Whitworth Park rally.
Strikers march through Manchester city centre in protest against cuts to public sector workers' pensions.
A child shows his support for lollipop men and women whose pensions would be cut under the proposals.
Esmond Brown, 66, from Manchester says he does not support the strikers - his pension as a retired builder is much less than those marching against the proposed cuts.
A child blows his horn in support of striking teachers and other public sector workers.
The march through Manchester city centre is thought to have brought around 20,000 strikers.
The demonstration carries on through the city centre.
The demonstration carries on through Manchester city centre.
A man watches the strikers pass on Oxford Road.
Musical and masked demonstrators march through Manchester city centre.
A young woman shows her support for the teachers' union ATL. The cuts proposed by the government are likely to hit women and the low-paid hardest.
Manchester University English student Aidan O'Sullivan marches on behalf of his parents, both NHS workers.
Strikers in Whitworth park listen to TUC speakers at the rally held against proposed cuts to public sector pensions.
Strikers in Whitworth park honk in agreement with trade union speakers at the rally held against cuts to public sector pensions.
Strikers in Whitworth park listen to TUC speakers at the rally held against proposed cuts to public sector pensions.
Children supporting the demonstration against government cuts to public sector pensions. The 1% in the image refers to the 'greedy' minority who continue to receive high wages and bonuses despite the recent banking crises.
Unison members patrol Whitworth Park in advance of the rally taking place.
A women waits for the march to pass by. Women and low-paid workers will suffer most under the changes.
A woman leaves Whitworth Park at the end of the rally.