It follows an ongoing row with Network Rail and signallers in the Stirling area over proposals to introduce 12-hour shifts.

BBC: Stirling Middle

The Fostering Network said the number of children in care rose for a second year in a row and is continuing to rise.

BBC: NI needs hundreds of foster families, says charity

And a 24-hour strike was held on the network from the evening of 1 November - the third walk-out this year in a row over threatened job losses.

BBC: London mayor 'must act on Tube chaos', says Livingstone