I had a close friend, many years ago, who died in London in a fire-he was a fireman)

I couldn't agree more with most of what has been said here.(Though-many nurses, doctors and teachers, social workers etc are assulted, some very seriously, and some killed!) The public services in the UK have seen a massive erosion of their pay over the last 20+ odd years. To say, "you choose" a career, or job and then accept the pay structure is an over-simplification. If you choose the job, and then your job declines in status, respect, value and also take home wages, then you have every right to be peeved to say the least.Then to say let's all have a pay rise then taxes will go up-is a bit daft. When Executives get their big pay rises, what goes up? PRICES!
The "independent" review bodies, are nothing except government puppets, even if they recommend a pay rise, it is not accepted by the government.
There have been incredible amounts of money earned by the fat cats, and it seems only the "outrageous" raise an outcry, what about the massive wages earned in other sectors? Mooman has got it right! But it's only half the story. There are many fat kittens who earn enormous amounts of money.

Everyone (almost) praises the earning of huge profits, but moans when ordinary people want a decent wage. Take a supermarket chain taking £30,000,000.00 profit-don't forget you and I have been earning them that, by paying over the odd for their goods.Like most things in the UK, over priced, profit first, people last!

Well I hope they go on strike until they win, I hope teachers, nurses, doctors and every other public service worker goes on strike until decent pay and conditions are part of their right,since they choose to do the job!

Joh9n my friend, you are quite right-Tony Blair et al are a bunch of TWATS. Since Mrs B earns about half a million a year (geting very rich through figting for womens rights) and Tony about a quarter of a million-the hypocrisy of most MP's is amazing.

Put it this way.........

How much would you pay for someone to risk their life for yours?