Thomas-Symonds’ Union Pay Rise Defence Falls Flat
Paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds was asked by Nick Ferrari this morning why the government is capitulating to unions while removing the winter fuel allowance for some pensioners. Thomas-Symond’s response was the classic “it’ll cost more not to settle“:
“There is an enormous cost to not settling these disputes that would apply in terms of the junior doctors because you’d obviously have had huge disruption to patients, and it applies in terms of ASLEF and the train drivers.”
Unhelpfully for Labour the exact unions it has appeased have already indicated they will be coming back for more. Junior doctors got a bumper backdated pay rise – the BMA is already plotting more strikes for next year. ASLEF rail drivers have had their pay boosted to an average of about £70,000 with no extra conditions on their lax working rules – Mick Whelan says that will keep him quiet for a maximum of six months before going for a new offer. And so it begins…
Thomas-Symonds all but confirmed GPs will be getting their demanded 11% pay offer:
“Well the answer to that, it’s an answer I used to give you in opposition, which was about getting around to the table and actually settling with people.”
Now we know why Reeves is so insistent tax rises will have to come in the budget. Someone has to pay for it…
