FUNNY things can happen can’t they, when election results go awry.

A government which was once so wedded to an austerity agenda, now appears to be softening its approach.

And we are getting signals from within the cabinet that the 1% cap on public sector pay increases is to be reviewed.

There are also hints that the autumn Budget could mark a change of direction.

This is in stark contrast to the pre-election pledge by the Conservative Party to maintain the cap, which has been in existence since 2013, until 2020 at the earliest.

However, the loss of the majority has forced some Conservative MPs to rethink their case.

There is no doubt that the election result has left many in government reeling and perhaps waking up to the fact that many of those working in the public sector have simply had enough.

And there does appear to be a growing mood in favour of moving away from such a tight hold on public expenditure, even if that means some of us may have to pay higher taxes.

The recent terror attacks and the Grenfell tower tragedy have reminded us all how much we need and rely on our public services. Perhaps it is now time to recognise that.