Theresa May stung over public sector pay backlash
Unions plan series of coordinated strikes
The backlash over public sector pay is escalating, with trade unions threatening coordinated strikes as opposition politicians demand reassurances that there will be no staffing cuts when Theresa May lifts a 1% pay cap.
After months of arguments, ministers thought they might hear faint praise this week when they approved pay rises of 2% for police and 1.7% for prison officers in 2017-18. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said raises for all public sector workers in 2018-19 could be greater than 1%, “ending the cap that had been in place for seven years”, reports The Guardian.
However, the announcement merely inflamed the debate and provoked the unions. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked: “Can the Prime Minister guarantee no more police or prison officers will be lost as a result of decisions she has made this week?”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
May did not answer, instead arguing that factors such as incremental progression pay and tax cuts had actually left many public sector staff better off than before. But with inflation rising to 2.9% in August, the unions weren’t feeling better off with pay rises of 2% or less.
On the Huffington Post, Paul Waugh writes: “The PM’s spokesman told us the Cabinet recognised the need for ‘more flexibility’, but you can’t pay the bills with flexibility.”
The Government’s decision to lift the public sector pay cap for specific workers also drew criticism from union chiefs, “who are pressing for a 5% pay hike for millions of nurses, civil servants and other public sector workers”, says The Independent.
Several unions are balloting their members for industrial action, including PCS, the largest civil servants union, and the Prison Officers Association (POA), which will ask its control room staff to vote on industrial action.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey says he would back illegal strikes over the issue.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis told delegates at the TUC annual conference in Brighton: “Be in no doubt, this Government cannot be trusted.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Virtual prisons': how tech could let offenders serve time at home
Under The Radar New technology offers opportunities to address the jails crisis but does it 'miss the point'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Airport goodbyes
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'We shouldn't be surprised that crypto is back'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Public sector pay and inflation: what’s the link?
Talking Point Economists say government warnings of wage-price spiral are overblown
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
Which public sector workers are striking – and when?
In Depth Teachers and rail workers taking part in major public sector walkout tomorrow
By Julia O'Driscoll Last updated
-
Labour shortages: the ‘most urgent problem’ facing the UK economy right now
Speed Read Britain is currently in the grip of an ‘employment crisis’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will the energy war hurt Europe more than Russia?
Speed Read European Commission proposes a total ban on Russian oil
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will Elon Musk manage to take over Twitter?
Speed Read The world’s richest man has launched a hostile takeover bid worth $43bn
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Shoppers urged not to buy into dodgy Black Friday deals
Speed Read Consumer watchdog says better prices can be had on most of the so-called bargain offers
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ryanair: readying for departure from London
Speed Read Plans to delist Ryanair from the London Stock Exchange could spell ‘another blow’ to the ‘dwindling’ London market
By The Week Staff Published
-
Out of fashion: Asos ‘curse’ has struck again
Speed Read Share price tumbles following the departure of CEO Nick Beighton
By The Week Staff Published