UK PM Rishi Sunak stands firm amid serial strike action

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his debut before a House of Commons committee to answer a barr of questions on Tuesday to defend his actions at a time when his government is under immense pressure with serial strike action by workers across public sector.

Sunak was firm on his inflation busting mess as he was grilled by cross-party MPs of Liaison Committee, in charge of scrutiny of government, as state-funded National Health Service (NHS) nurses were undertaking a second day of strike demanding better pay and working conditions. Furr industrial action is planned by NHS ambulance operators, railway workers, border force staff and postal workers over course of next few weeks.

“I've always been very clear in expressing my gratitude and admiration for our NHS workers and indeed our public sector workers across board for job that y do,” said Sunak, during questioning in Parliament complex.

“I've ackwledged that it is difficult for everyone because inflation is where it is and best way to help m and to help everyone else in country is for us to get a grip and reduce inflation as quickly as possible. And we need to make sure that decisions that we make can bring about that outcome. Because if we get it wrong and we're still dealing with high inflation in a year's time, that's t going to help anybody,” he said.

British Indian leader pointed to independent pay review process, whose recommendations government follows on public sector pay. But workers' unions have expressed a lack of faith in process.

Asked if he would consider a reform of that process, Sunak added: I don't think I do want to see a reform to it… y're balancing what's affordable for taxpayer, that's ultimately all se things have to be paid for, with need to make sure we can recruit and retain staff in various sectors in various sectors in which y're operating. I don't think most people would quibble with those as things to consider.

“Inflation is also important. It's t just important for us, it's been important for governments over last few decades and that's an important part of what y do as well.” Sunak continues to face calls from unions to reopen talks on nurses' pay and deal with growing wave of strikes across public services over Christmas and new year period. In a statement released ahead of strikes, nurses' union chief Pat Cullen said she believed dispute could get "wrapped up by Christmas" if ministers engd with union talks. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called for a 19 per cent pay rise but government has said this is unaffordable.

government has, meanwhile, turned to armed forces personnel to cover some essential tasks over strike action period even as concern grows over Wednesday's ambulance drivers strike in England and Wales. y are also demanding above-inflation pay rises, but have t set a specific figure, amid a cost of living crisis of soaring household bills.