United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak (pictured) is planning to impose a pay freeze on The Public Service as he looks at ways to bolster public finances after a huge rise in spending to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those affected include key workers lauded for their service during the pandemic, such as the police, teachers, armed forces and other Public Servants.
While front-line National Health Service (NHS) staff would likely be excluded, unions have expressed outrage, calling the plan “insulting”.
The Treasury said it did not comment on speculation, but pointed out that public sector pay restraint was mentioned by Mr Sunak in a letter in July outlining his plans for a Spending Review.
Details of that review, and how much money would be allocated to Departments during the 2021-22 financial year, are expected shortly.
The July letter outlined that in the “interest of fairness we must exercise restraint in future public sector pay awards, ensuring that across this year and the Spending Review period, public sector pay levels retain parity with the private sector”.
News that a pay freeze was being considered sparked anger among unions.
Unite said a cap would be “insulting to those public sector workers that have underpinned the fabric of society during this continuing pandemic”.
“In the spring, the Prime Minister was praising NHS staff for saving his life,” the union said.
“Now, in the autumn, he needs to ensure that his Chancellor turns those warm words into hard cash for those that ensure the efficient running of the NHS, schools and colleges, and the myriad of services provided on a daily basis by Local Councils,” it said.
General Secretary of Unison, Dave Prentis said it would be a cruel body-blow to NHS staff not on the front-line.
“Key workers across all public services remain at the heart of the fight against COVID,” Mr Prentis said.
General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Matt Wrack said the union had warned Ministers in the summer that clapping key workers would not pay the bills.
“It seems in Government memories are short and morals in short supply,” Mr Wrack said.
General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Mark Serwotka warned of industrial action.
“If Rishi Sunak fails to pay public sector workers properly, there will be widespread anger and industrial action cannot be ruled out,” Mr Serwotka said.
London, 22 November 2020
