Rishi Sunak preparing for fresh concessions to end public sector strikes

Rishi Sunak is preparing to make concessions to end months of public sector strikes.

Talks between teaching unions and the Department for Education started on Friday.

University and College Union planned to continue with industrial action next week.

NHS staff including nurses, porters and ambulance crews offered a one-off bonus of up to 8.2% for this year and a pay rise of 5% from April, with more for the lowest paid.

Junior doctors are expected to be offered a similar deal to the other NHS unions.

Ministers want to see the BMA suspend strike action and drop its claim for a 35% rise to restore years of lost earnings.

This week’s junior doctors strike took an even greater toll than earlier industrial action from nurses and ambulance workers.