Rishi Sunak has challenged union leaders to call off strike action after offering public sector workers pay rises of up to 7 percent.
The prime minister said on Thursday that he has accepted the recommendations from independent pay review bodies, including 6.5 percent increases for teachers in England for 2023-24, which the education unions said would allow them to end their dispute with ministers.
Junior doctors, who began a five-day walkout in England on Thursday, will receive 6 percent rises, along with an additional consolidated £1,250 increase.
Mr. Sunak told a Downing Street press conference that the new pay offer is “final.”
“Today’s offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision.”…