Starmer ‘won’t back down on pay’ as unions threaten strikes

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he won’t back down on his public sector pay propositions, despite threats of trade union strike action.

On Wednesday, a spokesman defended the Prime Minister’s decision to propose pay rises of 2.8 per cent, insisting it has to be “fair for both the taxpayer and the worker”.

Pay for teachers, doctors and other public service workers is determined by an independent review body.

On Tuesday, the Government said it believed a 2.8 per cent pay rise was enough to set aside. A formal decision on the subject will be made next year.

Following the announcement, trade unions labelled the proposition “an insult” and threatened strike action.

The proposed rise of 2.8 per cent is only just above the 2.6 per cent inflation rate, meaning the increase is minimal in real terms.

Asked about a union backlash to proposals, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.”

He said the Government had been “upfront” about the need to take “tough decisions” after inheriting a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances from the former Tory administration.

“Departmental settlements for next year and beyond will need to fund the next round of public sector pay awards,” he added.

Number 10 said it would only be able to afford above-inflation pay rises for public sector staff in the medium term if workforces become more productive.

The British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said the offer meant a “very real risk of further industrial action”.

The Royal College of Nursing said it was “deeply offensive” and urged the Government to enter negotiations to stop unions balloting their members for strike action.

Daniel Kebede – the general secretary of the National Education Union, the biggest classroom union – said he was putting the Government “on notice” over the offer.

He claimed it fell “well short of the urgent action needed” and would “only deepen the crisis in education”.