AN MP has hit out at teachers who decided to strike on Thursday over a pension dispute.

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin said he understood why they were striking but did not agree.

The National Union of Teachers are walking out across England and Wales in an ongoing dispute with the Government over pay, pensions and workload.

Mr Jenkin said: “Teachers have got the right to go on strike, but a serious profession should not be using strike action as a negotiating tool and there are teaching unions which have a no strike policy.

“There are some professions where it is illegal to strike such as the police and armed forces."