Thomas Bridge 09 July 2015

Public sector faces staff exodus over Osborne’s pay cap, warn unions

Unions are warning of a mass departure of council staff thanks to the ongoing freeze in wages, according to trade unions.

Chancellor George Osborne yesterday used his Budget to announce the continuation of a public sector pay cap of 1% rises per year until 2019/20.

He said there was a ‘simple trade-off between pay and jobs in many public services’, adding that while there had ‘already been a period of restraint’ the Government needed to find ‘commensurate savings in this Parliament’.

However trade union Unison has warned the ‘miserly’ measure meant public sector staff remained ‘shut out’ of the economic recovery.

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: ‘Capping wages at a miserly one per cent for four more years for public sector workers will hasten the reluctant exit of many dedicated staff from our hospitals, schools and local councils.

‘Britain won’t have public services fit for 21st century needs, unless wages for public servants are high enough to attract the best recruits. Pay austerity might be over for MPs but it’s set to continue for many more years for everyone else in the public sector.’

Unite also demanded an immediate end to ‘public sector pay attacks’, warning that the continued restraint would hamper the national economic recovery by limiting worker spending.

The union’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, said: ‘Having faced almost a decade of collapsing wages, the millions across the public sector who keep our country running will be furious that they face a further four years of pay pain.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner