The Briefing Room

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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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

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

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, Strikes: How can we avoid a return to the 1970s?

As strikes continue across the UK, what's the government's strategy for dealing with them?

The 1970s saw high inflation driven by energy price shocks, leading to workers demanding higher wages. Sound familiar? How can the government deal with this 'winter of discontent'?

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

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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

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