Travellers to the UK are being warned to “prepare for disruption” when Border Force staff are due to hold their latest strike next week.
Immigration staff based at UK airports and maritime ports who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are set to walk out on Wednesday, 1 February, until 7am on Thursday, 2 February, in the latest industrial action in their ongoing dispute with the UK government over pay.
The UK’s Home Office said: “The proposed strike action will impact international arrivals at all UK air and maritime ports, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in northern France.
“If you are travelling into the UK via any entry point, you should prepare for disruption and check before you travel.”
The Home Office added that it would once again use military personnel, alongside civil servants and volunteers, to support Border Force operations during the strike period, as it did during the previous strike by PCS members over the Christmas holiday period.
It said that travellers during this period were likely to face “longer wait times” at the UK border and urged eligible passengers to use the electronic eGates which will be operating as normal.
“As you’d expect, accurate queue time data can take some time to gather and check, however if you are travelling during the proposed strike dates be prepared for longer wait times,” advised the Home Office in a statement.
“There are multiple factors that might influence wait times including an increase in passenger numbers, flight delays and flight bunching. Weather delays, and other ad hoc incidents, can also impact border control queues.”