Transport Secretary Mark Harper maintains there “simply isn’t the money” to support such wage increases given the present economic climate, while Labour asserts he should “move heaven and earth” to prevent winter strike action.
Faced with public sector strikes, cabinet minister Mark Harper told that inflation-busting wage increases are “unaffordable.”
Given the current economic climate and state of public finances in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the transport secretary stated that there “just isn’t the money” to sustain such salary increases, even in line with rising prices.
However, he hinted at progress in rail issue negotiations.
If they do not receive a 19% pay increase, nurses are scheduled to hold the first-ever nationwide strike in the United Kingdom next month.
It signifies an expansion of winter industrial action, with transport and postal workers striking over pay and working conditions.
Last month, inflation reached a 41-year high of 11.1%, fueled by soaring energy and food costs.
Mr. Harper stated on the Sophy Ridge on Sunday program, “Our economic condition is quite challenging.”
“There is the process of restoring the economy after the pandemic.
“There is conflict in Ukraine.
Therefore, I believe we should ensure that employees receive wage raises, but they must be affordable for the public sector and the broader economic situation.
He continued, “I believe wage raises that meet or exceed inflation are unaffordable.
“I believe we should attempt to provide all public sector employees who work very hard compensation raises that are commensurate with inflation.
“Given the circumstances, there just isn’t enough money to pay for those; we haven’t seen them in the private sector either; private sector wage increases have generally been settled below the rate of inflation, which I recognize is difficult for people.”
However, Labour’s shadow leveling up secretary Lisa Nandy stated, “They are expensive because of 12 years of Tory rule and 44 days during which Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng destroyed the economy.
“I believe there should be a measure of humility on this within the government.
“What he ought to be doing is moving heaven and earth to prevent wintertime strikes.”
It has been a very difficult year for many people, and nobody wants to see strikes, least of all those who are forced to resort to them.
The opposition leader refused to comment on whether the nurses’ request for more pay was unaffordable, noting that the administration had not “opened the books to us.
Ms. Nandy, who had previously supported striking employees on the picket line, stated that she had no intention of joining the nurses, maintaining that union members wanted her “performing my job” in Parliament.
As Labour seeks to counter Tory attack lines in advance of the upcoming election, her attitude will be viewed as significant.
Mr. Harper signaled a change in the mandate for negotiations in the rail conflict after “constructive” discussions with union leaders.
He told that training executives “will be able to achieve an agreement.”
Mr. Harper continued, “However, we must be able to agree on this reform package, as it is only this that generates savings.
“I do not have an endless supply of taxpayer funds to throw at this issue.”
Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, praised a “tone shift” by the administration.
