Rishi Sunak hints he WILL refuse big public sector pay recommendations

Rishi Sunak hints he WILL refuse big public sector pay recommendations saying people ‘may not like’ the decisions needed to curb inflation

Rishi Sunak teed up a fresh showdown with unions today as he gave a strong hint that he will shun any recommendations for big public sector pay hikes.

On a visit to an NHS screening site in Nottingham, the PM warned that people ‘may not like’ the decisions he needs to take to bring down rampant inflation.

Unions have expressed outrage at suggestions that ministers might ignore the conclusions of independent pay review bodies for this year.

But there are concerns in government that any settlements over 6 per cent could add rocket boosters to prices. 

On a visit to Nottinghamshire, Rishi Sunak warned that people ‘might not like’ the decisions he needs to take to bring down rampant inflation.

Inflation figures last week showed CPI still not falling and core inflation actually rising in May 

Speaking during a trip to Nottinghamshire, Mr Sunak said: ‘I think everyone can see the economic context that we’re in with inflation higher than we’d like it and it’s important that in that context the Government makes the right and responsible decisions on things like public sector pay.’

He said walkouts staged by junior doctors were ‘very disappointing’ and claimed this would ‘make it harder’ to bring down NHS waiting lists – one of his key priorities for Government.

‘It’s just going to make it harder to bring waiting lists down and I think people should recognise the economic context we’re in and I’m going to make the decisions that are the right ones for the country,’ he said.

‘That’s not always easy, people may not like that, but those are the right things for everybody that we get a grip of inflation.’

Ministers are scrambling to find ways of easing inflation, which has forced the Bank of England to raise interest rates. 

Tories fear the pain being heaped on mortgage-payers will dominate the run-in to the general election next year. 

Analysis suggests that voters in London and the South East who took typical loans in 2020-21 will be at least £5,000 worse off. 

Mr Sunak was joined by Health Secretary Steve Barclay for the visit today 

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