Why public sector pay is now a headache for Starmer, not Sunak

Labour is still the best choice for unions – but whether they will support the party is another question, writes Andrew Grice

Starmer would inherit a bleak landscape from the Tories (PA)

Teaching unions’ decision to call off strikes is a much-needed win for Rishi Sunak, even if he is not yet out of the woods on public sector pay. Junior doctors will not settle for the 6 per cent plus the £1,250 rise for them the prime minister announced on Thursday, and the Unite union is warning of another wave of industrial action.

But, while Keir Starmer did not support or criticise the government’s decision on pay and Labour frontbenchers have kept out of individual disputes, Labour can no longer sit awkwardly on the fence and avoid the “what would you do?” question. 

The spotlight will turn to Labour next Friday, when pay will top the agenda as Labour’s national policy forum meets for three days of negotiations about the party’s programme for government. The Nottingham meeting’s decisions will then go to Labour’s annual conference in October, from which the party manifesto will be finalised closer to next year’s election.