Commenting as school transport in Northern Ireland is due to be disrupted this week due to strike action, Dr Graham Gault, director of school leaders' union NAHT(NI), said:

"The fact that Unite’s industrial dispute over the government pay offer has progressed to strike action represents a complete failure of the employing authorities to seriously address their very legitimate concerns. These workers have simply been left with no alternative.

"Because it is both unacceptable and hugely disappointing that children, particularly our most vulnerable children, will be impacted by this breakdown, NAHT(NI) calls for government to immediately reopen negotiations towards a fair settlement to put this lamentable situation behind us."