who are economically inactive, meaning neither working or looking for work because of long term sickness. most of that increase has taken place since the pandemic struck. andy verity, bbc news. the health secretary, steve barclay, has been holding talks with unions representing nhs workers today to try to avoid a winter of strikes. last week, members of the royal college of nursing voted for industrial action, demanding a 17% pay rise. ballots in other unions could see paramedics, health care assistants, porters and cleaners also vote to walk out. as the chancellor puts the finishing touches to his autumn statement on thursday, there are fears that some of the savings he makes could come from the £120 billion spent on benefit payments every year. millions of disabled people rely on this income to help pay for the extra costs of having a disability. ruth clegg reports. like many disabled people, hannah has had to fight to live independently.
is what the top priority is. if it s to boost the public finances and head off inflation with spending cuts or higher taxes on top of higher interest rates, that may not be compatible with the other aim all parties say they share to make the recession as short and shallow as possible. the health secretary, steve barclay, has been holding talks with unions representing nhs workers today to try to avoid a winter of strikes. last week, members of the royal college of nursing voted for industrial action, demanding a 17% pay rise. ballots in other unions could see paramedics, health care assistants, porters and cleaners also vote to walk out. the headlines. an inquest finds the death of two year old awaab ishak was directly linked to his exposure to mould in his home in rochdale.
The animated supergroup, which is led by Damon Albarn, return to the stage at the O2 Arena, marking the first full capacity live event at the venue since March 2020.