What's happened
Public sector workers in the UK are striking over pay, with the government refusing to meet their demands.
Why it matters
The strikes are significant as they are affecting key public services, including healthcare and border control. The government's refusal to meet the demands of the workers has led to criticism and condemnation from unions and opposition parties.
What the papers say
The Mirror and The Guardian both report on the strikes and the government's response, with The Guardian also highlighting the use of disingenuous figures by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. BBC News reports on the cost of meeting the workers' demands and the government's refusal to ask ordinary families to pay an extra £1,000 a year to meet the pay demands of union bosses.
How we got here
The strikes come after the government accepted the recommendations of public sector pay review bodies, which average around 5%, but fall short of the demands of the workers. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts average inflation for 2022-23 of about 10%, which has led to criticism that the government is not doing enough to support public sector workers.
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A government department related to finance and taxation, a finance ministry.
A place or location where treasure, such as currency or precious items are kept.
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