Half of people back strikes by NHS workers – poll

Speculation has grown that healthcare staff could strike over pay (Peter Byrne/PA) (Picture: PA Wire)

Half of Britons would support NHS staff going on strike if they chose to do so, a new poll has found.

Speculation that NHS workers could strike over pay has mounted in recent weeks after ministers suggested any rise should be limited to three per cent.

If they chose to walk out, they would join railway workers and criminal barristers who have already gone out on strike over pay and conditions.

Other public-sector workers including teachers, refuse collectors and postal workers are reportedly considering industrial action against the background of rising inflation and resistance to significant pay increases by the Government.

A poll of about 1,000 people carried out by Ipsos between June 22 and 23 found 50 per cent of British adults would support an NHS strike while only 30 per cent would oppose.

(PA Wire)

This represented by far the highest level of support for possible strikes, with 41 per cent backing industrial action by teachers and 35 per cent opposed.

Barristers had by far the lowest levels of support, with only 23 per cent supporting strike action and 46 per cent opposing it.

Some 41 per cent opposed strike action by civil servants, with 29 per cent in favour, while 38 per cent opposed strikes by airport staff, with 31 per cent in favour.

The poll also found that, after two days of strikes on the railways, support for industrial action by the RMT remained largely unchanged.

Some 35 per cent had supported the strikes at the beginning of the week and the same proportion was in favour by June 23. The proportion of those opposed to the strike action had increased very slightly from 35 per cent to 36 per cent.

Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos, said: “Following on from last week’s rail strikes, the potential for further strike action from different professions looms.

“This data shows public sympathy varies depending on the types of workers striking. NHS workers are most well supported, followed by teachers, but others less so, suggesting that not all strike action will be viewed equally in the court of public opinion.”