Britain on Wednesday unveils a new cost-of-living budget, including more help on soaring energy bills, but the government is set to stand firm on rising public sector pay demands as the country endures a fresh wave of strikes. Finance minister Jeremy Hunt delivers his tax and spending plan to parliament from 1230 GMT, as teachers,…
Finance minister Jeremy Hunt delivers his tax and spending plan to parliament from 1230 GMT, as teachers, junior doctors, civil servants, BBC journalists and drivers on London’s underground Tube railway stage the latest day of mass walkouts. The Conservative administration has meanwhile flagged increased childcare funding and other proposals aimed at encouraging parents, the over-50s and others back into the jobs market.
In neighbouring France, the Senate at the weekend voted to approve a deeply unpopular reform to the country’s pension system. Sunak’s spokesman said the government wanted to work with unions to achieve “fair and reasonable” pay rises.Hunt has insisted the government must keep a tight rein on spending after debt jumped during the height of the Covid pandemic.