Pressure mounts on Downing Street after Scotland scraps public sector pay cap

Library

Pressure mounts on Downing Street after Scotland scraps public sector pay cap

Prospect union has welcomed the statement by the Scottish Government that it is to lift the 1% cap on public sector pay.

The new work programme for the Scottish Government, announced on 5 September, says: “We will remove the 1% pay cap from 2018-19. Future pay policy will take account of the cost of living, continue to protect the lowest paid and ensure public sector budgets remain in balance.”

Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, commented: “The Scottish Government has thrown down the gauntlet to the prime minister over public sector pay.

“Scottish ministers have recognised the current pay cap is unsustainable, damaging to recruitment and fails to mark the important contribution public sector workers make. They also recognise the pressure of seven years of austerity on the ‘real life circumstances’ of public service workers and their families.

“This clear position contrasts the leaks, counter briefings and confusion we have seen from Westminster. The UK government must act now and lift the cap.”