Mass strike threat in UK

London - British union leaders are warning the government that plans for deep cuts in public spending will be met by a wave of strikes and demonstrations.

The country's main union federation, the Trades Union Congress, will call for coordinated resistance Monday during its annual conference in the northern English city of Manchester.

The government says departments must slash spending by up to 25 percent in a bid to reduce Britain's $155bn deficit. It is due to announce details of the cuts next month.

The unions say more than 200 000 jobs are at risk and claim the cuts will devastate police forces, schools and other public services.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the cuts "will do irreparable economic and social damage".