Should the government raise the salaries of NHS workers in order to reduce wait times?

In October 2023, it emerged that the number of people waiting longer than 18 months for NHS treatment in England was growing. Data analysed by PA Media last month suggested that, despite recent decreases in the waiting list in England, it was still higher than when Sunak’s pledge was made. The list stood at 7.21m outstanding treatments in January 2023. In November, NHS England figures showed 7.61m treatments were yet to be carried out. NHS workers, many of whom have seen substantial pay cuts in real terms under Conservative governments, have been exercising their right to take industr…  ial action to secure better terms. Unions have consistently said ministers could avoid strikes by offering better pay deals. And government ministers have acknowledged privately they would end up needing to do so despite having spent months publicly insisting they would take no such step.