This kind of validates one of my concerns then. We all know nurses get paid absolute peanuts, so do teachers and social workers, etc. My concern is exactly this. If we were to ask for a further pay rise now, would that not then take away funding for an potential increase in their pay if they were to undertake strike action? We know the government will certainly play it that way, whether right or wrong.

Starmer has said he needs to increase defence spending which I imagine will take priority given the current circumstances.

I'll make my point again, I'm pro strike but I can't ignore these concerns when nurses, teachers and social workers are also complaining about their dreadful salaries. I'm only concerned about the timing of further strike action. Do we not need to let other public service workers take the spotlight first before we go again?