UNION leaders claimed that support for industrial action over pensions was holding up today as public service workers walked out across Gwent.

Lecturers at Coleg Gwent and Newport University, civil servants at the Office of National Statistics, the Newport passport office and the Department for Work and Pensions and NHS staff are among those striking over changes to pensions.

Unions argue that government proposals will see them paying more for longer to receive less, but the government says public service workers will continue to receive a good pension.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which has around 3,000 civil service members in Gwent, and Universities Colleges Union (UCU), which has more than 500 members at Newport University and Coleg Gwent are both taking strike action today.

Councillor Gez Kirby, of the ONS PCS branch, said support has held up from the November strike with 70 per cent of people striking.

Roy McCabe of the UCU said few people were going into Newport Coleg Gwent campus and few classes were taking place in Pontypool.

"The strength of feeling is absolutely solid. Members are really angry at the government's raid on their pensions," he said.

A spokesman for Coleg Gwent said campuses opened yesterday and that the strike does not affect all teaching staff.

He said other things, such as directed study, were put on for students at the campuses.

NHS workers with Unite also went on strike - the union has 800 staff at the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

The board said that there were no delays to emergency services and was working closely with staff groups to ensure delays are kept to a minimum.

Newport University said on its twitter feed yesterday morning it expected disruption and cancellation of lectures.