Jeremy Hunt promises to find extra cash to help fund public sector pay deals

Chancellor tells MPs that high level of inflation means Treasury support is necessary to avoid cutting frontline services

Jeremy Hunt has pledged to find additional money to help fund public sector pay deals after admitting that Britain’s high level of inflation has made it impossible for Whitehall departments to end strikes without Treasury support.

The chancellor conceded on Wednesday that the only way the government could fund pay awards without cutting frontline services was if he provided financial support to cabinet colleagues.