As 80,000 civil service workers prepared to strike for two days on Thursday and Friday this week, Respect MP George Galloway sent this message to Mark Serwotka, leader of the PCS union, and his members:

"PCS and its 80,000 members in the Department of Work and Pensions have my full support in the action you are taking over pay.

"Gordon Brown's policy of holding down public sector pay below the rate of inflation is a scandal. He is also, of course, the architect of the job losses and privatisations that are blighting the civil service.

"If the consequence were simply the embarrassment he and his hapless government have suffered over the loss of 20 million pieces of personal data, then few would shed any tears.

"But it is leading to worsening services and demoralisation among staff.

"It is in the interests of everyone who relies on those services that the PCS wins this dispute. Every public sector worker in particular should hope that their unions come together to resist these pay cuts, which look like they are going to be with us for some years to come."