Strike action held in Chester on day of Chancellor's Budget

While the Conservative Government announced a number of measures during the Budget on Wednesday, March 15, a number of unions had picked that day to co-ordinate strike action.

National Education Union teachers began strike action, junior doctors entered the final full day of strike action and university lecturers began the first of a six-day strike.

Junior doctors on strike at the Countess of Chester Hospital on Wednesday. Pictures: Ray McHale.

BBC journalists were also on strike in protest against cuts to local radio output.

Also going on strike were civil servants and London Underground drivers, with rail workers resuming strikes from today (Thursday). Train companies which are unlikely to run any services include Avanti West Coast and Northern rail services, while Transport for Wales will be making some adjustments to its timetable. Merseyrail services are expected to run as usual.

A rally in London's Trafalgar Square on Wednesday, which organisers said was attended by 50,000 people, heard strong criticism from union leaders over the government’s handling of the public sector disputes.

Junior doctors on strike at the Countess of Chester Hospital on Wednesday. Pictures: Ray McHale.

But there are signs some of the disputes may be closer to resolution.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, said there had been a breakthrough in the university dispute.

She said: “Today, on our 10th day of strike action and after weeks of intensive negotiations, university employers have finally agreed to put forward a set of proposals on pay, conditions and pensions. This breakthrough is down to the strength, determination and sacrifice of university workers who have stood on picket lines.

“The proposals will now move through our union’s democratic processes, and strike action will continue until our 70,000 UCU members have had the chance to have their say.”

UCU staff on strike at the University of Chester on Wednesday. Pictures: Ray McHale.

Jeremy Hunt said the UK Government wants to “come to a fair deal on pay” to resolve public sector strikes.

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme why there was not money for public sector settlements in his Budget, the Chancellor said: “We are having discussions, quite good discussions I think, with unions.

“We’ve been very flexible about what we’ve been prepared to offer. The only condition we put on those talks is we can’t give an offer that would itself fuel inflation and mean we are having the same discussions this time next year.

“What I would say to all of them is we recognise how tough it has been in terms of the price of the weekly shop going up, the price of petrol going up and so on.

“That’s why we are putting in about £3,000 per household this year and next on average to help support people through a difficult period. But we also want to come to a fair deal on pay.”

Junior doctors on strike at the Countess of Chester Hospital on Wednesday. Pictures: Ray McHale.

Asked whether there could be more money for nurses and ambulance workers, Mr Hunt replied: “We don’t have an agreement yet, so I can’t tell you what the quantum is.

“I am hopeful we will have an agreement. I think we’ve had some very positive discussions but let’s see where it ends up today.”

Pressed on whether more than the 3.5% rise recommended for 2023/24 by the Department of Health and Social Care could be agreed, Mr Hunt said: “All I will say is, if the Government says we will do a different deal, we will find a way to pay for it. Yes, we would like to settle these disputes.”