Is the pay rise enough to end public sector strikes - vote in our poll

14 July 2023 , 10:23

1173     0

Junior doctors have branded the 6% pay increase as 'derisory' (Image: Getty Images)

Millions of public sector workers will be handed a pay rise of at least 6% - but do YOU think the boost is enough to end strike action?

Teachers, police officers and junior doctors are among those who will benefit from the salary uplift after Rishi Sunak accepted independent pay review bodies’ recommendations. The wage hike will be backdated to April, and teachers will receive a rise of 6.5%, while junior doctors, consultants and dentists will receive 6%. Police and prison officers will see an increase of 7%, senior civil servants will get 5.5%, and military personnel are in line for a raise of 5 to 6%.

The Treasury has highlighted that the pay rises will be funded through existing departmental budgets. The Prime Minister and Jeremy Hunt have ruled out increasing taxes or borrowing to fund the pay rises as they say this will increase inflation.

This has prompted fears from unions, who warn that public services will now have to choose between "paying workers a half-decent salary or cutting services in already underfunded public services".

The leaders of the National Education Union, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers and NASUWT have welcomed the pay award, and said they would recommend their members accept it and call off strike action. Teaching unions have announced planned strikes from September have been suspended as members weigh up the offer.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

They said: "A 6.5% increase for teachers and school leaders recognises the vital role that teachers play in our country and ensures that teaching will continue to be an attractive profession.”

Meanwhile, junior doctors - who began a five-day walkout yesterday (July 13) - have vowed to keep striking as they branded the 6% offer as “derisory”. The British Medical Association (BMA), which originally called for a 35% pay rise, said it was rejecting the offer as it would equate to just 84p an hour extra for new doctors.

But Mr Sunak has said: "Today's offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year's settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision."

We want to know if YOU think the pay rise is enough to end public sector strikes? Vote in our poll to have your say.

The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.

Freya Hodgson