UK rail staff disrupted the New Year return to work in the latest strike action by workers in a range of sectors over the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Workers across the economy are at loggerheads with the government as they demand big pay rises to cope with decades-high inflation, currently running at nearly 11 percent.

Network Rail, which operates the UK's rail services, warned travelers of "significantly reduced" train services or no services at all in some areas until January 8.