Sometimes there is a bleakly effective logic to underinvesting in public services. If they survive, then great, the money was saved. If they fail, then even better, because privatisation is here and ready to pick up the pieces. A classic example of this strategy is the NHS.
Junior doctors are working longer and harder, being paid next to nothing for it, and then blamed when things go wrong. There may soon be future strikes as their requests have not yet been met. Even though it is primarily about pay restoration, there is a wider context. They are now expected to put in extra shifts, compromise their career progression, and do work above their pay grade with no training or reward. This is by design.
