Boris Johnson today claimed there was “no point” giving workers inflation-busting pay rises to ease the cost of living crisis.
The Prime Minister dismissed calls for public sector staff to get rises above 3% - even though prices are rising at 9.1% annually and tipped to hit 11%.
Speaking at the G7 Summit in Bavaria, the Tory leader dashed hopes that dedicated employees might be spared a real-terms pay cut.
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.”
He insisted 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 attempts to steady his premiership with a diplomatic blitz risk being derailed by mounting diplomatic woes.
Tens of thousands of rail workers walked out last week in a major dispute over pay and working conditions, and there are fears of a summer of discontent as other unions consider strike action.
Teachers and nurses are considering walkouts if their pay demands aren't met, with responses from independent pay review bodies expected before the summer recess.
The Government is resisting calls for decent pay rises for hard-working public sector staff - as they argue it could drive up inflation.
Brits are facing spiralling cost of living pressures as the consumer price index measure of UK inflation climbed to 9.1% - its highest level in 40 years.
Bank of England economists are expecting inflation to rise to an eye-watering 11% in the autumn, when the energy price cap is also due to rise again.
