Rishi Sunak to offer fast-track public sector pay talks

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( January 05, 2023 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Rishi Sunak to offer fast-track public sector pay talks in bid to end strikes deadlock]( Rishi Sunak is poised to fast-track future public sector pay talks in a bid to end strikes that will see nurses walk off wards again this month. The prime minister said settlements for the next financial year were “exactly the kind of thing we should be sitting down and talking through, and it's not just about pay." But Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen accused Mr Sunak of being “detached from the reality” of the crisis hitting the health service. He ruled out cancelling non-urgent operations as a way of freeing up more beds to ease the chaos in A&E departments, and set a target to bring waiting lists down before the next election. Labour attacked his pledges – which also included halving inflation this year, laws to stop small boats bringing migrants to the UK, and raising education standards – saying the prime minister was “trying to mark his own homework by setting himself a ridiculously easy exam.”   2 / [Prince Harry alleges William physically attacked him in new book, report says]( Bombshell claim made in leaked extract of Duke of Sussex’s upcoming autobiography ‘Spare’ 3 / [‘Overlooked common protein’ could make breast cancer treatment radically more effective]( ‘Early-stage discoveries like this can help provide the building blocks for the breakthroughs of the future,’ says a Breast Cancer Now director 4 / [Covid: New XBB.1.5 variant will drive next wave of virus in UK, experts warn]( The subvariant could put further pressure on the NHS already struggling amid backlogs and strikes 5 / [Amazon to cut over 18,000 jobs in latest wave of mass tech layoffs]( ‘This year’s review has been more difficult given the uncertain economy’     The Big Question What are the five promises Rishi Sunak made in his speech? [Rishi Sunak]( has made five key ambitious [promises]( for this year – halving [inflation](, growing the [economy](, cutting debt and NHS waiting lists, and stopping migrant boats crossing the Channel. With the [NHS in crisis]( and the country in the grip of [strikes by key workers](, the prime minister called for a “reasonable dialogue” with the unions and said ministers “hugely value” public-sector employees such as nurses. In his first major speech of 2023, setting out his government’s priorities, Mr Sunak promised to deliver “peace of mind” to the public. [For the full story click here >](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](. Watch/ [Satellite imagery shows comparison in snowfall between 2022 and 2023](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 160,000 – More than 160,000 people have visited the [Vatican]( to pay their respects to Pope Emeritus [Benedict XVI]( this week, as final preparations are made for the former pontiff's funeral.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “Harry needs to be authentic and stick to his own story, what relevance does grandad’s life have with his?” – The granddaughter of [Nelson Mandela](, Ndileka Mandela, has called out the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for using his legacy to promote their newest Netflix documentary, describing it as “deeply upsetting and tedious”.     Other stories you might like   [Mick Lynch challenged over his Brexit support by James O’Brien](   [Keir Starmer to promise ‘decade of national renewal’ in first speech of 2023](   [Killer who stopped to buy pasty on way to stab ex-lover to death is jailed](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers James Moore - [Jeremy Hunt has some bad news for businesses over energy bills – so what now?](   Other newsletters you might like [The Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Sign up]( [Inside Politics] Inside Politics Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Matt Mathers [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.