RISHI SUNAK was condemned by unions following reports that the government may block pay rises for public-sector workers recommended by so-called independent pay review bodies (PRBs).

While HM Treasury has said that “no decision” has been made on recommendations it has received from PRBs, it did not rule out refusing to implement them.

Widespread strike action is already planned next month by junior doctors and teachers, and the proposal was dismissed as “utterly farcical” and “reckless” by unions.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Inflation is not being driven by public servants.

“Their household budgets are under such pressure that we’ve got nurses and teachers using food banks.

“Instead of blaming workers who can’t afford to put food on the table or petrol in their cars to get to work, ministers should focus on a credible plan for sustainable growth and rising living standards.

“And they should publish the recommendations of all the pay review bodies and urgently get round the table with education unions to resolve the ongoing pay dispute.”

Teacher’s union NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach said: “If the government chooses to ignore the recommendations of the pay review body, this will have profound consequences for future industrial relations, with industrial action likely in the autumn.”

Unison assistant general secretary Jon Richards said: “In the last pay round, the government spent months hiding behind the NHS pay review body.

“Ridiculous claims ministers couldn’t intervene with the PRB led to strikes and much needless disruption to patients and services.

“For the prime minister to be pondering blocking the other pay review bodies is utterly farcical.”

He called for an end to the “outmoded” way of setting pay in essential services, saying: “Direct talks with unions, employers and ministers would be better for everyone.”