The British government is 'resolute' it will not budge on nurses' pay, senior minister Oliver Dowden said on Sunday, ahead of a planned second nationwide walkout by the profession over an average pay offer of 4% while inflation runs at more than 10%.
Oliver Dowden walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain November 1, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah McKayLONDON, Dec 18 - The British government is "resolute" it will not budge on nurses' pay, senior minister Oliver Dowden said on Sunday, ahead of a planned second nationwide walkout by the profession over an average pay offer of 4% while inflation runs at more than 10%.
"We will be resolute in response to this because it will be irresponsible to allow public sector pay and inflation to get out of control and we owe a wider duty to the public to make sure we keep our public finances under control," Dowden told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.on Sunday that British health secretary, Steve Barclay, is expected to contact health unions to urge fresh talks aimed at averting further strikes.
The Royal College of Nursing union, which says its members' real term earnings have fallen by 6% in the last decade, has called for a pay rise of 5% above the RPI rate of inflation, which stood at 14% in November. Britain is facing a wave of industrial action this winter, including rail and postal services as well as healthcare.
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