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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/04/public-sector-pay-cap-may-recognises-sacrifices-of-workers
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| Public sector pay cap: May 'recognises sacrifices of workers' | Public sector pay cap: May 'recognises sacrifices of workers' |
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| Theresa May recognises the sacrifice made by public sector workers during years of wage restraint, Downing Street has said, in a clear hint that the 1% pay cap could be lifted. | Theresa May recognises the sacrifice made by public sector workers during years of wage restraint, Downing Street has said, in a clear hint that the 1% pay cap could be lifted. |
| The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said she would not pre-empt the process that is used to set the salaries of nurses, doctors, teachers, armed personnel and others. However, she did not deny reports that May was ready to take action to ease the burden felt by workers who have endured a seven-year cap as part of the government’s austerity programme. | |
| “We know a number of people in the public and private sectors feel like they are just about managing, and we recognise the sacrifice they are making. But there is a process in place and I can’t pre-empt the process.” | “We know a number of people in the public and private sectors feel like they are just about managing, and we recognise the sacrifice they are making. But there is a process in place and I can’t pre-empt the process.” |
| She insisted the Conservative government was listening to the experts. One pay review body has warned that the ability to fill some NHS, military and civil service jobs could “deteriorate rapidly”. | She insisted the Conservative government was listening to the experts. One pay review body has warned that the ability to fill some NHS, military and civil service jobs could “deteriorate rapidly”. |
| The Senior Salaries Review Body, which makes recommendations for some NHS managers, military officers and top civil servants, suggested it was difficult to act effectively with its hands tied by the government’s cap. | The Senior Salaries Review Body, which makes recommendations for some NHS managers, military officers and top civil servants, suggested it was difficult to act effectively with its hands tied by the government’s cap. |
| “In the current context, it is difficult for the SSRB to operate effectively,” it said, raising concerns of frustration and a lack of motivation for workers. | “In the current context, it is difficult for the SSRB to operate effectively,” it said, raising concerns of frustration and a lack of motivation for workers. |
| “If the government continues to see value in having an independent body to advise on senior salaries, we believe that some serious reflection is required about how to make better use of it.” | “If the government continues to see value in having an independent body to advise on senior salaries, we believe that some serious reflection is required about how to make better use of it.” |
| Janet Davies, the chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said if reports of the pay cap being lifted were true it would mark significant progress and show the government was listening to nurses’ campaigning. | |
| “But any offer from the PM or Treasury needs to not only scrap the pay cap for future years but go some way towards making up for lost earnings,” she said, warning that industrial action was on the table if May and the chancellor, Philip Hammond, failed to scrap the cap. | “But any offer from the PM or Treasury needs to not only scrap the pay cap for future years but go some way towards making up for lost earnings,” she said, warning that industrial action was on the table if May and the chancellor, Philip Hammond, failed to scrap the cap. |
| “Nursing pay has fallen by 14% in real terms since 2010, now worth £3,000 each year,” she said. | “Nursing pay has fallen by 14% in real terms since 2010, now worth £3,000 each year,” she said. |
| Nurses will demonstrate outside parliament on Wednesday over the issue, which was a central theme in the election after May was confronted by a nurse who had suffered as a result of the pay cap. | Nurses will demonstrate outside parliament on Wednesday over the issue, which was a central theme in the election after May was confronted by a nurse who had suffered as a result of the pay cap. |
| Many Tory MPs have admitted that the inability to attract public sector workers hampered their efforts during the election in which the party lost its majority. | Many Tory MPs have admitted that the inability to attract public sector workers hampered their efforts during the election in which the party lost its majority. |
| Rehana Azam, the GMB national secretary, said: “The artificial cap on pay was always a political choice by the Conservative government. This damaging policy has seen thousands pinched from public sector workers over seven years.” | Rehana Azam, the GMB national secretary, said: “The artificial cap on pay was always a political choice by the Conservative government. This damaging policy has seen thousands pinched from public sector workers over seven years.” |
| She said it would be a victory for the union’s campaign if the cap was lifted, but “the devil will be in the detail”. | She said it would be a victory for the union’s campaign if the cap was lifted, but “the devil will be in the detail”. |
| “All public sector workers must receive proper pay rises – including those not covered by pay review bodies, such as school support staff, council workers and police staff. The prime minister will not be able to get away with a sleight of hand on this one – we’re watching very closely.” | “All public sector workers must receive proper pay rises – including those not covered by pay review bodies, such as school support staff, council workers and police staff. The prime minister will not be able to get away with a sleight of hand on this one – we’re watching very closely.” |