大象传媒

The wait for a driving test is as long as five months in parts of Essex, according to an instructor based in Wickford.

It comes as driving examiners who are part of the Public and Commercial Services union go on strike this week. Seven test centres here in Essex will be affected until Saturday.

The PCS union is calling for a 10% pay rise, better pensions, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms, but the government has said the requested pay rises are "unaffordable".

大象传媒 Essex speaks to Debbie Crocker, owner of Grange Driving School in Wickford, and Paul Williams who is president of the PCS Department for Transport Group.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said: 鈥淲e regret this decision. We greatly value the work of civil servants across the country, but the PCS Union's demands would cost an unaffordable 拢2.4 billion at a time when our focus must be on bringing down inflation to ease the pressure on households across the country, protect the vulnerable and rebuild our economy. Discussions will continue, but we can provide reassurance that we have comprehensive plans in place to keep essential services running and to minimise disruption if these PCS strikes do go ahead.鈥�

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