As ten public sectors go on strike this week, and more in the coming weeks, the chancellor has doubled down on his refusal to concede to unions’ demands for above-inflation wage increases.
As tens of thousands of public sector workers go on strike, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has stated that the government’s primary priority is to combat inflation.
Mr. Hunt stated that the strikes, which are occurring every day until the end of the year, are “an indication of the reality that people are quite concerned that their paychecks are not stretching as far as they did last year” owing to inflation.
He claimed that the government’s refusal to approve wage increases above inflation is due to its commitment to bringing inflation under control.
Inflation hit 11% in October, and the government has previously stated that significant wage increases could send inflation even higher as companies raise prices to compensate for increased wages.
Mr. Hunt stated, “My number one responsibility as chancellor, the number one task of the government, is to ensure that we combat inflation, and I believe that this will alleviate the underlying anger felt by many people.”
A third of the world’s economies are anticipated to be in recession this year or the following year, he continued, describing the international situation as “extremely tough.”
“The situation is likely to worsen before it improves, which is made even more difficult by the large public sector strikes that are currently occurring,” he warned.
The Independent Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that our approach will reduce inflation by more than half over the next year.
On Thursday, nurses will go on strike for the first time, joining 10 other businesses taking action this week.
According to unions representing nurses, the government is refusing to even negotiate a pay increase.
Ministers stated over the weekend that it is the job of independent pay review bodies, not the government, to establish public sector pay.
When asked why the government is not talking with nurses, Mr. Hunt responded, “We must be extremely cautious, since we recognize that the unions’ position is entirely sincere in light of the 11% inflation problem.”
On the other hand, we honestly hold the stance that we don’t want to do anything that would lock in a high inflation rate for an extended period.
He stated that the processes of the independent pay review committee should be supported as a result.
Each public sector has its own pay review body comprised of specialists in that industry who engage with unions and employees while considering government-set parameters to make a final pay decision.
Mr. Hunt continued, “This year, with the independent pay review committee, we have agreed to a comparable pay increase for nurses in the private sector.”
Monday, Health Secretary Steve Barclay sent a letter to the Royal College of Nurses requesting meeting times.
As he has emphasized in previous discussions with labor unions, “the Secretary of State remains open to discussing all alternative methods to enhance working conditions across the NHS,” a source stated.
The Labour Party has questioned why the government will not negotiate salary directly with labor unions.
Shadow health minister Wes Streeting told, “The government’s refusal to talk is utterly absurd.
I believe they are eager for a fight.
“The government’s position on this issue is a ridiculous joke; there has been no negotiation whatsoever.”
Andrew Griffith, minister of the Treasury, told that if the government begins to overrule independent pay committees, it will “ruin the process.”
