Responding to reports the chancellor of the exchequer is preparing to impose a pay cap on most public sector workers, UNISON South East Regional Secretary Steve Torrance said today (Friday):
“Key workers across all public services remain at the heart of the fight against Covid.
“Reports of pay restraint for all but frontline NHS staff would be a cruel body blow to other health, social care and public service employees working tirelessly to get us through the pandemic. It would be a slap in the face to every worker who’s made sacrifices to keep essential public services going and is likely to backfire badly with the public.
“The pandemic has highlighted who the key workers are in society and the Government should reward and value the contribution those in the public sector have made to keeping us all safe, not apply another pay cap.
“Public service workers will remember the prime minister and chancellor repeatedly clapping for key workers from their doorways in Downing Street and wonder now if this was just an empty gesture.
“The Government must do what’s right next week and announce a meaningful wage rise that all staff have more than earned. Anything less risks destroying morale when the entire country is counting on them.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Kieran Pearson M: 07432 741595 E: k.pearson@unison.co.uk
National press office E: press@unison.co.uk
