This week the Government announced the biggest public sector pay rise in almost 10 years – to help recognise the vital work that teachers, the police, armed forces, prison officers, doctors and dentists do.
Pay restraint over the years has not been an easy decision to take, as the Government took difficult decisions to reduce the nations deficit.
It is because of this balanced approach to the public finances, that the Government is now in a position to announce the biggest pay rise in almost 10 years for around a million public sector workers.
Our deficit is still too high – each year around £50 billion a year is spent on debt interest, which is more than the police and armed forces budgets combined. This offer strikes the right balance between fair pay, and ensuring public services have the resources they need.
Pay rises announced:
• Teachers will see the highest pay rise since 2010. The lowest paid 40 per cent of teachers – including all those earning under £35,000 – will be eligible for a 3.5 per cent baseline pay rise in 2018-19, equivalent to at least £800. Teachers in the Upper Pay Range, earning above £35,000, will be eligible for a 2 per cent baseline pay rise.
• Armed forces will see the highest pay rise since 2010. Service personnel will receive a 2 per cent increase to salaries plus a 0.9 per cent one off payment, worth a combined £980 for the average member of the armed forces.
• Police will see the highest pay rise since 2010. Police officers will receive a 2 per cent baseline pay rise in 2018-19, worth £760 to a police constable on an average wage.
• Prison officers will see the highest pay rise since 2008. Prison Officers will receive a 2.75 per cent pay rise in 2018-19. Most staff on modernised grades will also be receiving performance related pay, meaning someone on Band 3 Officer’s pay on modernised terms will see a 4.1 per cent increase this year.
• Doctors and dentists will see the highest pay rise since 2008. Dentists and junior doctors will receive a 2 per cent baseline pay rise from October 2018; GPs will receive 2 per cent baseline increase with a further 1 per cent potentially available subject to contract reform; the small minority of Speciality (SAS) Doctors will receive a baseline pay rise of 3 per cent from October 2018.
