A minister suggested the Government could ignore the recommendations of independent pay review bodies and offer some public sector workers less generous wage rises as it looks to step up its efforts to curb inflation. 

Helen Whately, the health minister, said the Government will “consider” the recommended wage increases for public sector workers which are put forward by the independent bodies. 

But she would not commit to agreeing to the recommendations as she said she could not “preempt the response” and stressed the need to be “responsible” with the public finances. 

Any move to ignore the recommendations would spark a backlash from unions, with the Government having previously made a virtue of accepting what has been suggested.  

There is growing speculation that for some workers the Treasury may end up signing off deals below the recommended level as it looks to tackle inflation which remains stubbornly high. 

Ms Whately told Times Radio: “Of course the Government will do, which is the right thing to do, is to consider their recommendations and respond after doing that. 

“Clearly, one of the things that the Prime Minister spoke about over the weekend and has been very clear is the need for the Government to be responsible about the public finances and the priority of bringing down inflation and considering that as we respond of course to pay demands.”

You can follow the latest updates below.