A pay rise for all public sector workers, both in our constituency and across the country, is fair and affordable. Public sector workers have been subject to years of falling real wages and I do not believe that this is sustainable. The large number of letters and emails I have received on this issue speak to the strength of public concern.

As requested I have written to the Minister for the Cabinet Office to ask him to withdraw the Pay Remit Guidance, to ask what consultations took place before the Guidance was published and for further consideration to be given to such.

As you know, the previous Coalition Government imposed a two year pay freeze on public sector workers in 2011, and in 2015 the Government announced a maximum pay increase of 1% in public sector pay until 2019-20. A report published by the Office of Manpower Economics in July found that real earnings have fallen since 2010 and remained below their 2005 level in 2015. The report states that the decline in earnings from 2010 coincides with the wage freeze imposed on public sector pay settlements by government in 2011-2013 and the average 1% rise in 2014-15.

On 12 September the Government announced a partial lift of the 1% pay cap for police and prison officers. This came as cold comfort for those nurses, teachers and other public sector workers who the Government has ignored and will face even steeper pay cuts on top of what they have lost since 2010. Furthermore, with inflation now at 2.9%, the reality is that the Government is still going ahead with a pay cut in real terms for police and prison officers.

The House of Commons debated an Opposition motion on 13 September 2017 which called on the Government to end the pay cap. I supported the motion and it was passed without a vote, meaning the House of Commons was unanimous in saying that the Government should now end the pay cap and give public sector workers a fair pay rise.

At the General Election I stood on a manifesto that pledged to end the public sector pay cap and make a return to public sector pay being agreed through collective bargaining and the evidence of independent pay review bodies.

I will continue to press the Government to lift the pay cap so that public sector workers are paid at a level which recognises the skill and dedication which they bring to their jobs. I will of course also send you a copy of the Minister’s response.