should the government be ashamed

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone , if the government gives them the pay rise that they are asking , then that would be totally unfair on other people in other employments , like bus drivers , care home staff ,ect ect . It would be totally impossible for everyone to have pay rise to meet the demands of living today . We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat .

In the current climate there are so many workers who can’t make ends meet. Yes it’s a disgrace but there are so many reasons and not all of them are the fault of the government. A general election wouldn’t solve anything as the cost of living is so high. The railways and the Royal Mail are losing money at a frightening rate. People will look at other ways of travelling or communicating. Keir Starmer said he would talk to the nurses. It’s not worth the disruption to have an election which would only bring more of the same. Let’s at least give this new administration a chance. They have taken over at a truly awful time which would be extremely difficult for any party.

This government is out of ideas so sits with their hands in their pockets, doing nothing.

Dibbydod, no, we're not all in the same boat - we're in various different boats. Nurses have had a decreasing income (in real terms) for over a decade. They need their wages restored to pre 2010 levels. That's not even a pay rise, is it?

This chaos could be predicted and, as Will Hutton commented in an excellent article in the Observer, The strikes are baleful legacy of a 12 year obsession with tax cuts and a small state.

Dibbydod

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone , if the government gives them the pay rise that they are asking , then that would be totally unfair on other people in other employments , like bus drivers , care home staff ,ect ect . It would be totally impossible for everyone to have pay rise to meet the demands of living today . We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat .

But we're not, are we? Most MPs are very wealthy and have become even more so by leaching off the British tax payer.

Dibbydod, this simply isn't true.

"We are all struggling with the high cost of living, the prices have gone sky high in the supermarkets, we are all in the same boat "

All of us on gransnet have very different incomes. Some of us here will be struggling, others absorb the extras on basics like heating and price rises. And we have different needs as well, different care costs also on.

And it depends how far the income has to go. Mine is enough for tiny mortgage not the £1000++ young families are shelling out, mortgage and after all I'm just supporting me in food and clothes etc, not a family, and enough to keep my house warm and food, and run a car.

Some here still expect to go on holidays and travel abroad as they have before, as a norm, others accepted its not do-able any more.

"We are all" very different.

But I do pay tax and I would be prepared to pay more, as others do in some other European countries, for decent public services. You get what you pay for. somehow many British people believe in the total myth that you can have low taxes and decent services, well, you cant.

I abhor this government and what they've done to our country. Yes, they should definitely hang their heads in shame.

Every day the government refuses to meet the nurses and begin to negotiate is a day totally wasted and potentially a day in which people suffer unnecessarily.

What is the point in not talking?

The government has to get around the table in order to end the strike.

Perhaps Sunak thinks he can brow-beat the nurses and ambulance drivers into submission.

What a way to run a country.

Agree Wyllow3 especially your final paragraph regarding decent public services in Europe through their taxes. An anathema to this government sadly.

Give this new administration a chance

The conservatives have had 12 years to run down all our public services. Wages have effectively been cut, terms and conditions in the nhs steadily eroded. Nurses get into debt to train, then earn less per hour than government ministers pay their gardener or dog Walker.

The state of all our public services is a national shame.

Yes the government should hang its head in shame. Its beginning to seem that the majority are recognising the gaslighting the government uses in an attempt to shift blame onto nurses and paramedics.

MaizieD

Just a wee reminder that the train drivers aren't on strike, Oreo. They are ASLEF. RMT is railway workers; station staff, track maintenance, guards etc. Not drivers.

ASLEF are on strike on 5/01/23 announced yesterday.

As for not driving etc. today, how ridiculous.

Some are not able to put their lives on hold due to these strikes, myself and DH included. We have a 2-3 hour drive home later today.

It’s the government telling us to put our lives on hold. All part of it’s campaign to avoid any responsibility for the mess it’s created

MaizieD

Just a wee reminder that the train drivers aren't on strike, Oreo. They are ASLEF. RMT is railway workers; station staff, track maintenance, guards etc. Not drivers.

ASLEF workers are on strike around the 5th Jan so not long to wait!

Of course the government should be ashamed but they will as usual blame everyone else. Its never their fault for anything that goes wrong.

Sorry GrannyGravy13 see that you beat me to it😄

Yes, the government is useless. I do sympathise with all those wanting a decent pay rise, but the NHS strike was timed to have maximum effect. Just wrong.

nadateturbe

Yes, the government is useless. I do sympathise with all those wanting a decent pay rise, but the NHS strike was timed to have maximum effect. Just wrong.

But of course it was. That is logical. It needs to have maximum effect to create maximum noise in the media. Maximum pressure on the government.

nadateturbe

Yes, the government is useless. I do sympathise with all those wanting a decent pay rise, but the NHS strike was timed to have maximum effect. Just wrong.

Not a lot of point in striking when it won't have any effect, nadateturbe. Can you suggest what would have been a more suitable time? When there are so few nurses and ward staff left (having all gone to better paid jobs) that hospitals can't function any more, perhaps?

MaizieD that’s about now isn’t it?

Feeling helpless about how our government knows people are struggling in so many ways but do nothing, not even talk to those on strike. To allow energy companies to keep billions of profit must be stopped. Can't see the sense of it. Do they know the meaning of ashamed?

I haven't posted on here before but do read posts. I'm really heartened to see so many people are still supporting the strikers. Especially the NHS workers. The govt is intent on privatising the NHS. We are being taken for fools but the govt has underestimated us.

Nurses in Scotland are now striking in the New Year after rejecting their pay offer. Seems the UK as a whole will be struggling.

L1247

I haven't posted on here before but do read posts. I'm really heartened to see so many people are still supporting the strikers. Especially the NHS workers. The govt is intent on privatising the NHS. We are being taken for fools but the govt has underestimated us.

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