Hunt faces calls for bigger public sector pay rises after surprise budget surplus | Budget deficit

In the wake of the UK’s surprise budget surplus, the government is facing increasing pressure to give public sector workers a much-needed pay rise.

The UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) revealed a £14.9 billion budget surplus in January, the first such surplus since 2002. While the news was welcomed by many, it has also sparked calls for public sector workers to be given a much-needed pay rise.

Public sector workers have seen their wages stagnate for the past decade, with many earning less in real terms than they did in 2010. This has led to a growing discontent among public sector workers, who argue that they are not being adequately rewarded for their work.

The government has so far resisted calls for a pay rise, citing the need to keep public spending under control. However, with the budget surplus, many argue that the government now has the resources to give public sector workers a much-needed pay rise.

The Labour Party has already pledged to give public sector workers a 5% pay rise if it wins the next election, while the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for a 10% pay rise for all public sector workers.

The government is now facing increased pressure to act, with many arguing that the budget surplus should be used to reward public sector workers for their hard work.

It remains to be seen whether the government will respond to these calls, but it is clear that public sector workers are becoming increasingly vocal in their demands for a pay rise. With a budget surplus now in the bank, the government has the resources to give public sector workers the pay rise they deserve.