Rishi Sunak has hinted he will ignore recommendations for public sector pay rises, saying workers “need to recognise the economic context we are in”.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that the prime minister planned to block upcoming proposals from public sector pay bodies in an attempt to tackle soaring inflation in the country.

But unions and opposition parties have hit out at the decision, saying inflation was not being driven by pay for nurses and teachers, but by the economic decisions taken by the Conservatives over their 13 years in power.

Asked by broadcasters today whether public sector pay was a major driver of inflation, Mr Sunak said: “Government borrowing is something that would make inflation worse, so the government has to make priorities and decisions about where best to target our resources.

“And that’s why when it comes to public sector pay, we need to be fair, but we need to be responsible as well.”

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