The two biggest teachers’ unions are threatening a national one-day strike in England before Christmas in a row over pay, pensions and workloads. Thousands of children will be shut out of lessons after two unions announced industrial action in eight areas for October with a national walkout planned before Christmas. The October strikes are the latest stage of the campaign by the National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT over Government education reforms. The unions argued that teachers were “angry, frustrated and concerned” by Education Secretary Michael Gove’s plans, accusing him of being “reckless and irresponsible”. However, Michael Gove hit back, accusing unions of attacking teaching instead of backing it.