A health minister has refused to commit to accepting the recommendations of public sector pay review bodies (PRBs) for next year, saying the government has to “look overall at what is affordable”.

Speaking to Sky News, Helen Whately said she would not “pre-empt” the next steps in the process, as the prime minister “needs to be responsible with the public finances” and “look at things in the round”.

The PRBs take evidence from across sectors like the NHS and education each year, as well as submissions from government, before saying what wage rises should be introduced for the following 12 months.

And amid anger from unions about the figures failing to match inflation last year, Health Secretary Steve Barclay insisted it was right for ministers to “continue to defer to that process to ensure decisions balance the needs of staff and the wider economy”.

But reports over the weekend suggested Rishi Sunak could block a recommendation of around 6% for workers over concerns it could increase already record high inflation.

Related posts:

No ‘free-for-all’: Wales set to move to alert level zero – but FM warns it ‘does not mean end of restrictions’ Geronimo the alpaca set to die after No 10 refuses stay of execution World on the brink of ‘catastrophe’ as extreme weather events pile up, UK’s climate chief warns ‘Sausage war’ truce holds as UK indefinitely extends grace period for post-Brexit checks PM refuses to rule out more tax rises ahead of next election as he defends National Insurance hike 12 to 15-year-olds to get ‘final say’ over COVID jab if disagreement with parent occurs National Insurance hike will see care workers receive tax rise but no pay increase – Starmer Raab in The Hague to offer UK’s help to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine Shapps denies ‘total lie’ he ‘wrecked’ RMT talks as second day of rail strikes looms Government backs making public sexual harassment a criminal offence ‘Very important we listen to the DUP,’ says Irish PM with Windsor Framework still in balance Health secretary ‘willing to engage’ with junior docs on strike but 35% pay rise demand ‘unreasonable’