Mark Whitehead 13 September 2017

Union claims pay cap is stripping billions of pounds from council budgets

A major union has accused the Government of stripping billions of pounds from the local authorities, schools and police forces to enforce a cap on public sector pay.

The GMB says £5bn has been taken from budgets because of the 1% cap between 2013/14 and 2019/20.

The claim comes as the government announced the cap on public sector pay rises in England and Wales would be lifted.

It said police officers will get a 1% rise plus a 1% bonus and prison officers will be given a 1.7% increase.

But the awards will be funded from existing budgets and unions reacted angrily, branding them a real-terms cut.

In its report, Public Sector Pay and the Forgotten Three Million, the GMB says local authority workers are paid 22% below the public sector average.

The union's national secretary for public services Rehana Azam said: 'We stand against all attempts to divide and rule over public sector workers.

'We need proper pay rises for teaching assistants as well as teachers, and police support staff as well as police officers.'

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Occupational Therapist (Grenfell Education Hub)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Opening up the world to young people - so they can get the best out of it, and themselves.This role sits at the centre of a community deeply impacted England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Director of Finance and Property Services

West Lothian Council
Up to £142,600
Nestled in the heart of Scotland, West Lothian is a vibrant region Livingston, West Lothian
Recuriter: West Lothian Council

Educational Psychologist (Grenfell Education Hub)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support the North Kensington community to rebuild, aspire and shape futures beyond tragedy.As an Educational Psychologist in the Grenfell Education Te England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Stock Condition Surveyor - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£18.0900 - £19.9600 per hour
Stock Condition SurveyorBasildon, Essex£18.02 per hour PAYE / £23.11 UmbrellaFull-Time, Temporary Contract - up to 6 months36.25 hours per week Essex England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant (SEN)

Durham County Council
£27,269 - £30,060 pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant  (SEN) Grade 6  £27,269 - £30,060 pro rata Permanent Full Time, Term Time Only + 2 Weeks Required as soon as possible Thi Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner