Rishi Sunak has said he is “sad and disappointed” that strikes are threatening to disrupt Christmas getaways.

The prime minister admitted setting public sector pay was a “difficult question” but insisted that “the government has acted fairly and reasonably in accepting all the recommendations of the independent public sector pay review bodies”.

Hundreds of thousands of workers across many sectors of the economy have gone on strike or are planning to this winter as unions seek pay rises for their members during the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation.

Border Force staff at the UK’s busiest airports walked out today, threatening delays for air travellers.

Mr Sunak said: “I am sad and disappointed about the disruption that is being caused to so so many people’s lives, particularly at Christmas time.”

He urged everyone travelling to check before setting off to ensure they have minimum disruption to their journey.

The leader of striking Border Force staff, PCS union general secretary Mark Serwotka, has warned travellers could face months of disruption unless the government comes forward with an improved pay offer.

But Mr Sunak said inflation is “eating into everyone’s pay packets” and “to make sure we reduce part of that is setting public sector pay”.

Asked if he would consider a one-of pay offer to NHS staff, Mr Sunak said: “As the Health Secretary and I have previously said, our door is always open.

However, this was disputed by the Royal College of Nursing, who announced new strike dates moments after Mr Sunak finished speaking.

Nurses will strike again on 18 and 19 January and said further dates would be confirmed in the new year.

The RCN tweeted:”Once again, we offered talks. Once again Ministers refused to get round the table. Once again nursing staff are left with no choice. For the protection of our patients & profession, our next strike will take place on 18 & 19 January 2023.”