Ambulance drivers in Britain staged a new strike on Monday to demand higher wages to compensate for high inflation in the country, where social conflict continues to multiply.

This is the third protest in the last five weeks for ambulance drivers, who are part of England’s public health system (NHS).

Nurses already went on strike for two days last week, following an unprecedented first mobilization in December.

Social anger is spreading across many sectors of the UK, where inflation stands at 10.5%, according to the latest data. Health, beset by chronic underfunding and a shortage of personnel, is one of the hardest hit.

Another day of protest has been scheduled for February 6, at the same time the government has remained steadfast in its desire to approve a criticized law on minimum services in sectors, such as health or transport.

The Secretary of Health, Steve Barclay, found Monday’s mobilization “deeply disappointing” and confirmed the measures being promoted to ensure patient safety, in a statement issued late on Sunday.

“There haven’t been any proposals in the last five weeks,” said Unite union secretary general Sharon Graham.

Union organizations have asked the conservative British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, to take over the reins of negotiations, given Barclay’s ministers do not have the “authority” to reach a deal.

Although Health chiefs spoke of “constructive discussions” with unions, they warned they would maintain the strike until executives heard their proposals.

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