SCHOOLS in Hillingdon look set to be hit by a one-day strike on Thursday next week as teachers stage a day of protest over cost-of-living allowances in London.

The National Union of Teachers backed a one-day stoppage on Tuesday. The union wants allowances to rise by a third but the government offered a 3.5 per cent increase effective from April 1.

John Bangs, NUT spokesman, said: "We worked out that this amounts to £1.65 a week. It is hopelessly inadequate."

But Education Secretary Estelle Morris has condemned the union's action for harming children's education and damaging the profession's reputation.