THE Government is facing the threat of more public sector strikes after an announcement that meat hygiene inspectors and vets are to be balloted for action over pay.

Unison said more than 500 of its members at the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, Wales and England will vote in the coming weeks on whether to strike over a pay offer of 0.75 per cent.

The union is seeking an above-inflation pay increase for FSA staff.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our members working for the Food Standards Agency do a vital job to ensure the meat on our plates is free from disease and safe to eat."

The move comes less than a week after more than a million public sector workers went on strike in disputes over pay, pensions and jobs.