Ministers mull public sector pay raises to stave off strikes

Rachel Reeves is facing the prospect of further pressure on struggling public finances as the government is considering handing pay rises to millions of public sector workers in order to avoid the looming threat of strike action.

- MILLIE COOKE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

It comes after public sector pay review bodies recommended pay rises of as much as 4 per cent for teachers and 3 per cent for NHS workers – significantly more than the 2.8 per cent that the government budgeted for.

Care minister Stephen Kinnock said the government will give “careful consideration” to the recommendations, but insisted the government would make sure it is balancing the books.

A rejection of the recommendations is likely to spark another wave of disruptive strike action which could bring public services to a standstill.