The teachers' walkout has led to more than 160 schools in Norfolk being forced to partially or fully close.

With so many children's education being disrupted - not to mention the childcare impact on their parents and the wider economy - why won't the government give in to the National Education Union's demand for more money?

Most state school teachers received a pay rise of 5pc in 2022, but unions say this amounts to a pay cut because inflation is more than 10pc.

They also warn that the proposed pay rise is 'unfunded' - meaning schools will have to pay for it by cutting other areas of their budgets.

The reality is that the strikes come down to money, more specifically, the government's lack of it.

After unprecedented amounts spent to support workers and businesses during the pandemic, along with funding energy support over the winter, government departments are having to tighten their belts.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan says the country simply cannot afford above-inflation pay awards.

Unions would argue otherwise, saying ministers simply have their priorities wrong.

But ministers also fear that if they agree to pay rises at inflation or above it could have the effect of further fuelling inflation, at a time when they are desperately trying to curb it.

Another factor prime minister Rishi Sunak will be keeping in mind is the NHS strikes. 

It is possible that to keep the country's health care service working, the government will be forced to agree to a resolution with the NHS unions, which means that there will be less money available for teachers. 

With education unions threatening more strikes and the government having little room for manoeuvre this may not be the last time Norfolk's school doors are shut.