Britain’s defence chief has spoken out over Tory plans to send in 1,200 strike-breaking troops, complaining: “We’re busy!”
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned the military should focus on its “primary role” as the government prepares to use it to cover for paramedics, firefighters and Border Force - costing £4,000 per soldier per week.
The Chief of Defence Staff told the Sunday Telegraph: "We're not spare capacity.
"We're busy and we're doing lots of things on behalf of the nation.
"We've got to focus on our primary role. It would be slightly perilous to rely on defence to be doing all of these things as the ultimate backstop."
It came as Rishi Sunak was blasted for branding union chiefs “cruel” and “Grinches that want to steal Christmas for their own political ends”.
The Prime Minister claimed rail workers were “tired of being foot soldiers in Mick Lynch's class war” as a Network Rail strike looms on Christmas Eve.
Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock blasted the “aggressive, nasty” comments, telling Sky: “I think that's awful, it's just incendiary.”
He added: “They’re spoiling for a fight. They want to sow the seeds of division. They're not interested in finding a solution.”
A poll by Opinium found 60% back nurses going on strike for two days. By comparison 39% backed Christmas rail strikes and 45% opposed.
Nurses will walk out on Tuesday. Ambulance crews in England are due to walk out for two days on December 21 and 28 in a row over pay.
Border staff in the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) will strike for eight days from December 23 until New Year's Eve.
And firefighters are balloting on whether to strike with a result due back next month.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said his "number one priority" is keeping patients "as safe as possible" and union demands are "not affordable".
But GMB and Unison said those in power had "dug in their heels" on pay while the NHS is "already on its knees”.
Unison warned the military is "no substitute" for qualified ambulance drivers, as soldiers will not be allowed to speed or run red lights.
Mr Kinnock said Labour backed troops being drafted in to break strikes, saying: “We're left with no choice, and so yes, we do support that.”
But he said it was covering up “a much bigger problem” adding: “the only true solution to all these issues is a general election ”.
Ministers are telling Brits only to dial 999 in the lead up to Christmas if their lives are at risk.
Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden suggested people who break their leg should get to hospital under their own steam if it is safe to do so.
In an awkward clash he defended the claim a pay rise for public sector workers would cost £1,000 per home, despite it being widely debunked.
The Royal College of Nursing has given ministers a deadline of Friday to up their pay offer or face even worse NHS disruption.
They say that unless the Government comes up with a deal by then, more widespread strikes will follow in January.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay - who has refused to discuss pay - reportedly proposed a one-off bonus for nurses but was rebuffed by No10.
A Department of Health source told the Sunday Times he had considered “all options” but insisted he was not at loggerheads with Rishi Sunak.
The troops drafted in to cover for striking workers include 600 ambulance drivers, plus a further 150 providing logistical support.
Community first responders will also be used to help manage demand for medical care.
Meanwhile, military personnel will join civil servants filling in for striking Border Force staff.
PCS union head of bargaining Paul O'Connor said the military have "better things to do" than passport control.
"They are not sufficiently trained to carry out this role and they shouldn't be put in this invidious position when they should be enjoying the festive break with their families," he said.
"The same applies to civil servants who are being pulled in from elsewhere, also leaving their jobs uncovered.
"Instead of throwing good money after bad trying to desperately mask the effectiveness of our industrial action, the Government should put a serious offer on the table to deal with the cost-of-living crisis that they have created for their own workforce.
"That is the only way to resolve this dispute."
