If pay austerity is over for MPs, it should end for other public sector workers too, says UNISON

Commenting on the confirmation today (Thursday) that MPs are to receive a 10 per cent pay rise, UNISON regional secretary Glyn Hawker said: “Pay austerity might be over for MPs, but it goes on and on for everyone else in the public sector.

“If pay restraint is at an end for politicians – who are public servants too – it should also be over for nurses, teaching assistants, hospital cleaners, council staff and other public sector workers.

“The government felt able to ignore the advice of the NHS pay review body, but not, it would seem, the equivalent body for MPs.

“Not content with holding pay down for public sector workers for another four years, the government is spitefully going ahead with new laws to make it almost impossible for public servants to go on strike and win pay rises in future.

“No wonder so many staff in our hospitals, schools and local councils are beginning to think they’d be better off working elsewhere.”

ENDS