ITV News political reporter Shehab Khan reports Government announces pay rises for millions of public sector workers as inflation squeezes households amid cost of living crisis Unions are furious after hundreds of thousands of public sector workers were offered a pay rise that cannot keep up with the crippling cost of living. Inflation is just over 9% and is expected to rise further, but most public sector workers will receive an increase well below that rate. The government’s offer is being described as a real pay cut, given how much more expensive goods and services have become following the Covid pandemic and amid the war in Ukraine. Setting pay for 2.5 million public sector workers is one of the last policy decisions left for Boris Johnson’s government before he steps down as prime minister in early September. Some pay rises only apply to England and Wales and others are set by ministers in devolved administrations. All officers in England and Wales will receive a £1,900 pay rise from September 1 – equivalent to a 5% overall pay award, the Home Office said. It works out to around £36 a week. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am pleased to fully accept the pay review body’s recommendations so that all police officers will see a £1,900 pay rise. “It is only right that we recognize the outstanding work of our officers who work tirelessly every day to keep our roads, communities and country safe.” Eligible doctors and dentists will receive a 4.5% salary increase. Most nurses will receive an increase of around 3.7%, while the basic pay for new entrants will increase by 5.5%. Porters, such as porters and cleaners, will get a 9.3% increase. These workers will see a weekly rise of around £27. The pay awards mean more than one million NHS staff will receive a pay rise of at least £1,400, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Ministers seem intent on destroying the NHS, showing scant regard for the millions of people languishing on waiting lists for tests and treatment. “Instead of saving the NHS with proper investment in staff and services, those running to be the next Prime Minister want to hold back the cash for pre-election tax cuts. “Weary staff may now decide to take matters into their own hands. “If there is disagreement in the NHS, ministers will have no one to blame but themselves.” The government said it had fully accepted the recommendations from the independent NHS pay review bodies, adding that the pay rise recognized the contribution of NHS staff while balancing the need to protect the taxpayer, manage public spending and not increase inflation. Experienced teachers will receive 5% pay and new teachers starting their careers will receive an additional 8.9% from September. Those who get an extra 5% will see another £40 in their pay packet per week on average. Education Secretary James Cleverley said: “Teachers are the fabric of our school system and it is their dedication and skill that ensure young people can leave school with the knowledge and opportunities they need to get on in life. “We are delivering significant pay rises for all teachers despite the current economic challenges, pushing teachers’ starting salaries towards the £30,000 mark and giving experienced teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation. “This will attract even more top quality talent to inspire children and young people and reward teachers for their hard work.” Both the NASUWT and NEU teaching unions, which have threatened strikes in the autumn over pay, said the proposed 5% rise for more experienced staff was too low. Those employed in the armed forces, which include the Army, Navy and Air Force, will receive an additional 3.75% up to the rank of 1 star. Officers with 2 stars and above will receive 3.5. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “This pay award supports wider recruitment and retention and meets the requirements of a smaller but high caliber Armed Forces while recognizing affordability.” All prison staff will be paid at least 4%, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said. Explaining that the pay rise is below inflation, Mr Raab said: “This year’s pay awards strike a careful balance between recognizing the vital importance of public sector workers, while delivering value for taxpayers, not further increasing country’s debt and being careful not to drive prices even higher in the future.” Will there be more public sector strikes? Unions demanded that wage offers keep pace with inflation, which is rising at its fastest rate in 40 years. The current rate is 9.1% and the Bank of England predicts it will reach 11% before the end of the year. Unions representing teachers, nurses and doctors have already threatened strikes if pay awards do not keep pace with inflation. The National Union of Teachers said it would now consult its members on strike action in the autumn and the NASUWT had previously said it would hold a national strike vote if the government failed to “deliver pay restoration for teachers”. Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the education union NEU, previously said a 5% increase for more experienced staff would be “unacceptable”. Laurence Turner, of the GMB union said: “A below-inflation offer is a cut by another name. “Recruitment and retention problems are now severe across the public sector and ministers are failing to invest in the services that economic recovery needs.” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “The Government has promised rewards for the dedication of the public sector workforce during the pandemic. What they have delivered, in real terms, is a kick in the teeth. “The so-called wage offer is equivalent to a massive national wage cut. “We expected the inevitable betrayal, but the magnitude of it is an insult.” And the upcoming election of a new prime minister, via the Tory leadership race, is unlikely to assuage concerns about public sector pay. All those remaining in the contest – Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt – have ruled out overall above-inflation pay rises if they become leader. Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know…
