No extra money for public sector pay rises, Jeremy Hunt tells ministers

Chancellor thought to have ruled out providing extra cash if PM decides to accept pay review bodies' recommendations

Jeremy Hunt has told ministers there will be no extra money to give millions of public sector workers an average 6% pay rise, potentially leaving departments facing a difficult choice between raising salaries or cutting frontline services.

The Guardian understands the chancellor has ruled out providing a further cash injection beyond what is already budgeted if Rishi Sunak decides to implement the recommendations of independent pay review bodies, which are expected as soon as Thursday.