The Briefing Room - Strikes: How can we avoid a return to the 1970s?

Download Strikes: How can we avoid a return to the 1970s?

In the 1970s the UK was gripped by double-digit inflation driven by energy price shocks. Inflation was controlled by raising interest rates as a recession raged. And that prompted workers to demand higher wages. Sound familiar?

This week and next will see rail workers, ambulance staff, nurses, bus drivers, baggage handlers, highway workers, Border Force, driving examiners and the Royal Mail all striking on various days. As things stand, the prospects of a resolution don’t look promising. So are we heading back to the 70s and another "Winter of Discontent’?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:

Keith Laybourn, Professor of History at the University of Huddersfield
Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Science at UCL's Social Research Institute
Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
Chris Giles, Economics Editor at the Financial Times

Producers: Ben Carter and Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Simon Watts
Studio manager: Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

Published on Thursday, 15th December 2022.

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