THE Chancellor's announcement today is 'a slap in the face to key workers', a Northwich MP insists.

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, believes the spending review outlined by Rishi Sunak today was a 'missed opportunity' to revive an economy battered by the pandemic.

The Chancellor announced a pay rise for NHS doctors and nurses – although other public sector staff wages will be frozen next year.

Following the announcement, Mr Amesbury said: "This has been an unprecedented year and it’s clear many difficult decisions have had to be made, but in my view this was a huge missed opportunity by the Chancellor to get the economy moving again.

"Instead, he’s delivered a slap in the face to the valued key workers and public sector staff that have helped get us through this pandemic.

"The public sector pay freeze will impact people like teachers, community health workers, firefighters, care workers and police officers among many others who’ve been central to helping keep our country moving through this crisis.

"The Chancellor clapped these people only a few months ago, now they’ve been hung out to dry."

The 2.1 million public sector workers who earn below the median wage of £24,000 will be guaranteed a pay rise of at least £250 next year, while the National Living Wage is being increased by 2.2 per cent to £8.91 an hour.

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Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Mr Sunak said: "Our health emergency is not yet over. And our economic emergency has only just begun.

"So our immediate priority is to protect people’s lives and livelihoods."