Sunday shows roundup: schools could see a ‘five-term year’

Gavin Williamson – 1 per cent NHS pay rise is result of ‘difficult economic challenges’

The Education Secretary was tasked with the government’s media duties this morning, on the day before schools are due to reopen for the vast majority of England’s children. However, with the Budget having taken place last week, another issue dominated the agenda. The government is offering a pay rise of 1 per cent for NHS staff, which is regarded by many in the profession as too low. Since inflation has been forecast as reaching 1.5 per cent later this year, unions have argued that the pay rise is in effect, a pay cut. Amid threats of strike action coming from the Royal College of Nursing, Sophy Ridge put it to Williamson that the government’s offer was not sustainable:

GW: Over a million NHS staff are going to be receiving pay increases over and above [1 per cent].