Garry Graham, Prospect deputy general secretary, said:

“Our members will see more than a whiff of hypocrisy and double standards in today’s announcement. Prospect has long argued for an independent review of pay to cover our members working in the civil service and wider public sector. This has been repeatedly turned down.

“There has not been a government in peace time so reliant on the hard work and dedication of the civil service and its agencies. For MPs to be awarded 2.7% when pay rises for those who serve them are held down at 1.5% or less demonstrates a remarkable level of contempt.

“As we prepare for pay discussions with the Cabinet Office and Treasury this announcement will only add to the anger and frustration held by members. The government needs to act to provide fair pay across the civil service and wider public sector. If that does not happen we are on track for a head-on collision”.