Postal and rail workers walk out as strikes intensify.

Rail workers will strike for a second day, as will Royal Mail personnel and driving examiners.

On a day when snow, ice, and fog impeded road and air travel, rail workers' walkout on Tuesday reduced service to around one-fifth capacity.

On Wednesday, around half of the rail lines will be closed again, with no services in most of Scotland and Wales.

This week is also anticipated to see the first-ever nationwide strike by nurses.

Rail workers, bus drivers, luggage handlers, highway workers, and driving examiners will also strike on Friday.

The government's emergency Cobra committee will meet again later this week to explore how to mitigate the impact of the wave of industrial action.

The strike by 115,000 Communication Workers Union (CWU) members coincides with the busiest time of year for Royal Mail, when people and businesses send Christmas cards and gifts.

Some package companies complain that the Royal Mail strike is causing them to delay next-day delivery as customers and businesses look for alternative ways to send their mail.

"We are experiencing short delays to our next-day delivery service in a small number of areas as a result of the Royal Mail's strike action, which has had a large knock-on effect across the entire industry," DPD Group stated.

Evri, previously Hermes, stated that bad weather, Royal Mail strikes, and staff shortages are creating "some localised delays."

Yodel also stated that delivery are taking longer in some places, but did not elaborate.

In addition to striking this week, Royal Mail employees will strike on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

The strike has been ongoing since the summer, and like with previous industrial actions involving rail, the NHS, teachers, border guards, and driving instructors, salary is a major problem.

Workers are demanding salary increases as the cost of living rises. Inflation, or the rate at which prices rise, is currently running at more than 11%, the fastest rate in more than 40 years.

This is primarily due to rising food and energy prices.

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