Star comment: No simple answers in pay strike

.

Council workers, teachers, civil servants and firefighters are among those who will not be manning their posts.

The fact, however, that there is some sympathy should not obscure a different truth: many members of the public are also fed up that they will be unable to access regular services that are funded by their taxes.

• Do you support the public sector strikes? Vote in our poll.

• How have the strikes affected you? Are you one of those on strike? Have your say in the comment box below.

List of Shropshire and Mid Wales school closures - July 10

Parents will be particularly aggrieved that teachers are on strike. We are a short distance away from the annual six-week holiday, but many parents will today be depending on childcare and the kindness of friends and family as a number of youngsters are sent home.

David Cameron points out that today's strike came about following a ballot in 2012 in which fewer than 30 per cent participated.

He has questioned the legitimacy of the action and suggested it is unwanted.

His bid for the moral high ground, however, has been challenged by teacher unions, who say their members deeply regret having to strike.

They cite low morale among teachers, a looming crisis in staffing and ever-increasing stresses and strains upon rank and file teachers as well as those further up the chain.

Other union leaders have been more direct, accusing the Government of bullying public sector workers.

There are no easy solutions to the conundrum of public sector pay.

The nation is finally emerging from a deep, hard recession in which millions of families faced reduced circumstances. Jobs were lost, wages were frozen, or, worse still, cut. People were expected to work longer hours for equal, or lower pay.

That tough love approach seems to have brought Britain back from the brink and predictions for the nation's economy are brighter than they have been since 2007/8.

There must, therefore, be a realisation on the part of the public sector that private sector workers have already faced a reduction in terms.

There must also be a realisation that public sympathy will soon wear thin when parents and others face disruption.

Yes, the nation wants to reward those who work hardest and there is a natural sympathy for teachers and others involved.

However, Britain must also continue to live within its means if the nation is to avoid a repeat of the recently-passed recession.