Mass strikes will take place across the country today as teachers, firefighters, carers, street cleaners and social workers walk out over pay.

In Waltham Forest a picket line will be formed outside the council from 7.30am before a march begins to the Town Square in Walthamstow at 9am.

The rally which is expected to attract thousands will march to central London.

Workers are protesting over beliefs that public sector pay is now so far behind the cost of living, that many workers are struggling to make ends meet.

In 2010 public sector pay was frozen and in 2012 a one per cent pay rise cap was introduced.

David Cameron has reacted to the strikes by proposing to tighten laws on walk-outs.

UNISON branch secretary at Waltham Forest, Dave Knight said council workers are being forced to use food banks.

“Council workers have kept on going in the face of four years of draconian Government cuts to keep local services in Waltham Forest running,” he added.

“They care for our elderly and our vulnerable, keep our streets clean and educate and look after our children. They deserve better treatment than they have had at the hands of this Government.

However, Waltham Forest Council claim that services will not be affected.

A spokesman said: “There don’t seem to be many where there are concerns about maintaining a service.

“Only licensing and environmental health have expressed some concern and they won’t really know until the day, but again this shouldn’t disrupt the council providing any services to the public.”

Dozens of schools across the borough will be closed today as teachers strike over changes to pay, conditions and pensions.

There will be no service at the following schools:

Ainslie Wood Primary School

Barn Croft School

Brookfield House School (partially open - classes 1, 2, 3, 7 & 12 are open)

Buxton All-through School Primary Phase

Buxton All-through School Secondary Phase, Chapel End Infants School and Early Years Centre (partially open -nursery open)

Chase Lane Primary School (partially open)

Chingford CofE Infant School

Chingford CofE Junior School

Connaught School for Girls

Davies Lane Primary School

Dawlish Primary School

Downsell Primary School

Edinburgh Primary School

Frederick Bremer Secondary School

George Mitchell Primary Phase School

George Mitchell Secondary Phase School

Goerrge Tomlinson Primary School

Gwyn Jones Primary School

Heathcote School

Henry Maynard Primary School & Nursery Nursery, & up to Year 2

Jenny Hammond School

Kelmscott School, Lammas School and Sports College

Leyton Sixth Form College

Longshaw Primary School

Low Hall Nursery and Children's Centre(Partially open, daycare open)

Mayville Primary School partially open only two classes closed

Mission Grove Primary School and Children's Centre

Oakhill Primary School, Riverley Primary School and Children's Centre

Rushcroft Foundation School, Selwyn Primary School

Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College

South Grove Primary School, St Joseph's Catholic Infant School

St Mary's CofE VA Primary School, (three classes open) St Patrick's Catholic Primary School

St Saviour's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School

Sybourn Primary School

The Holy Family Technology College (open for Yr 12)

Walthamstow School for Girls

William Morris Academy partially open - classes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 & 15 are open

Winns Primary School (partially open)

Woodford Green Primary School,