Travellers wanting to head abroad at Christmas should "think carefully" about their plan due to airport strikes.
Suella Braverman warned industrial action by border officials would cause chaos for thousands if they go ahead despite plans for the Army to take some of the strain. The intensifying wave of planned strikes over conditions and pay this month have extended from nurses, paramedics and rail workers to Border Force officials.
Staff at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff airports will strike for eight days from December 23 to New Year's Eve. Ms Braverman told broadcasters: "It's very regrettable that they have made this decision to potentially strike over critical times in the run up and following Christmas and New Year.
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"If they go ahead with those strikes there will be undeniable, serious disruption caused to many thousands of people who have holiday plans. I really want to urge people who have got plans to travel abroad to think carefully about their plans because they may well be impacted."
Downing Street sought to brace passengers for disruption and urged them to check with airlines for the latest information before travelling. Ms Braverman said plans are in place to bring in army personnel to help fill a "variety of roles" but insisted she would not compromise on security to alleviate disruption.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, told the Prime Minister on Wednesday "we are ready industrially and financially" to challenge any new measures.
She said: "For Unite, this is very clear. We will not be intimidated by anti-trade union attacks. If they put more hurdles in our way, then we will jump over them."
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