Angry: Dave Prentis

The government has been dealt a further blow by further education staff who are set to take strike action.

Unison members working in colleges in England and Wales announced on Tuesday they had voted to walk out over their pay and conditions.

A joint strike planned for November 5 will go ahead unless a last-minute agreement is reached.

Workers have already rejected a 2.3 per cent offer.

With the fire fighters strike now causing a major headache for the government, the timing could not be more embarrassing for the government.

Unison's general secretary, Dave Prentis, accused employers of being prepared to ignore the needs of staff."I'm glad our members voted yes but I am also incredibly angry that the employers have let it come to this," he said.

"They seem happy to let pay in this sector spiral downwards leading to even greater problems with recruitment and retention.

"For the first time, low paid staff working in colleges have voted to go on strike and risk losing a day's pay.

"This should send a wake-up call to the employers that the situation is serious. We are urging them to reopen pay negotiations."