The government is getting lot of stick for giving NHS workers a one per cent rise.

If this is viewed as a “thank you” for their efforts over the last year in the pandemic, it is indeed measly.

Their excuse is that it is all we can afford, and they have a point: if we keep on loading the shoulders of our descendants with debt, even in the good cause of saving lives now, it may well result in those descendants living shorter and less comfortable lives.

Perhaps we should take another tack and give those nurses the rise we can afford, one per cent or some other figure, but in addition give a lump sum to all those closely involved (and give it to the families of those medics who gave their lives in this cause).

A figure of £1,000 comes to mind.

Although this costs the taxpayer, it is not a continuing cost and does something tangible to express our thanks.

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