The PM was speaking about his proposals for new legislation to guarantee ‘minimum service levels’ from some industries
In his interview Rishi Sunak said he hoped talks with the unions about pay could start on Monday. Yesterday the government proposed talks with the public sector unions on their pay settlement for 2023-24, and Sunak revealed this morning that the government would like those talks to start within days. He said:
The government has written, all departments have written to all their unions inviting them for talks on Monday so that we can have those conversations talking about what’s affordable, what’s reasonable, what’s responsible for our country.
I think everyone agrees that the most pressing economic priority we have is reducing the cost of living and getting a grip of inflation is the best way we can do that to ease the cost of living, not only for nurses, but for everyone.
We’ve always been clear that we want to have a grown-up on conversation, a two-way conversation with union leaders. And that’s why all departments have written to all their unions inviting them room for talks on Monday so that we can have those conversations, talking about what’s affordable, what’s reasonable, what’s responsible for our country.
I think everyone agrees that the most pressing economic priority we have is reducing the cost of living, and getting a grip of inflation is the best way we can do that to ease the cost of living, not only for nurses, but for everyone.
In common with countries like France, Italy, Spain and others, that ensure that we have minimum levels of safety in critical areas like fire, like ambulance, so that even when strikes are going on you know that your health will be protected.
I think that’s entirely reasonable and that’s what our new laws will do.
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