Devil will be in the detail – all public sector workers must receive proper pay rises, says union. Comment Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary GMB.

The union for public sector workers, has today issued a cautious welcome to reports Prime Minister Theresa May will bow to pressure over the Government’s public sector pay pinch. The controversial policy has seen the average public sector worker lose £13,000 over the last seven years.

Reports suggest that a letter issued by ministers to pay review bodies, expected by the end of the month, will signal the lifting of the pay cap on those professions with the biggest recruitment and retention problems – such as nurses and senior civil servants – in 2018/19

The cap is then expected to be lifted completely in 2019/20 for those pay arrangements governed by pay review bodies. There is no news however on whether those public sector workers who are not governed by pay review bodies – such as school support staff, council workers and police staff – will see an end to seven years of below inflation pay rises that have seen thousands pinched since 2010.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary said: “The artificial cap on pay was always a political choice by the Conservative Government. This damaging policy has seen thousands pinched from public sector workers over seven years.”

“If real pay rises are now on the cards it will be a huge victory for the GMB’s campaign and for public pressure on the Government, but the devil will be in the detail. All public sector workers must receive proper pay rises – including those not covered by pay review bodies, such as school support staff, council workers and police staff. The Prime Minister will not be able to get away with a sleight of hand on this one – we’re watching very closely.”