Members of the Public & Commercial Services Union working at the Home Office, including those employed in the immigration service, have confirmed they will strike on Thursday 26th July.

This is just one day ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The dispute is part of a long-running disagreement over job cuts, pay and privatisation.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The lives of staff have been made intolerable by these cuts and they’re at breaking point.

“Ministers have known about these issues for a very long time and need to act now to sort out the chaos they have caused.

“They’re acting recklessly in cutting so many jobs and privatising services, and are provocatively refusing to talk to us with a genuine desire to reach an agreement.”

The action includes staff across the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the action was “shameful” as it threatens disruption to people travelling to London for the Games.

East Midlands Trains staff have also voted to strike during the Olympics.