UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson today explained there is 'no point' in giving workers inflation-busting pay increases to ease the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The PM dismissed calls for public sector wages to be increased above 3 per cent, as rife inflation is tipped to exceed 11 per cent.
Speaking at the G7 Summit in Bavaria today, the Conservative party leader dashed any hopes that dedicated employees may have had with regards to a real-term pay rise.
Read more: Boris Johnson pledges to 'carry on' instead of stepping down after double by-election loss
The Mirror reports that when asked if teachers, doctors and nurses should only be getting 3% hikes, he told ITV News: “I'm not going to give a comment on each offer or suggestion that the pay review bodies may make. But what I would say to you is that, at a time when you've got inflationary pressures in an economy, there's no point in having pay rises that just cause further price rises because that just cancels out the benefit.
“I know that people will find that frustrating. but I've got to be realistic with people about where we are. I think - I'm pretty certain of this - that our inflationary pressures will abate over time, and things will start to get better.”
The PM also insisted that the Government was “taking the sensible and responsible decisions to have the strongest possible economic recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Johnson jetted to Germany today for the crucial gathering of world leaders, after a stint in Rwanda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). But his futile attempts to steady his premiership with a diplomatic blitz run the risk of being derailed by an abundance of woes.
Tens of thousands of rail workers walked out on their duties last week in a major dispute regarding pay and working conditions - with further fears of a summer of discontent as other unions weigh up strike action. Teachers and nurses are also apparently considering action should their demands on pay fail to be met, with responses from independent reviewers expected before the six-weeks' holidays.
Read next:
