Justin Welcomes Largest Public Sector Pay Rise In Almost A Decade

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has welcomed news that employees in the public sector are to receive their biggest pay rise in nearly a decade.

The Government has announced this week that it had accepted the recommendations of the independent Pay Review Bodies’ for the 2018-19 pay awards for each of the workforces – which could see around one million public sector workers receive a pay rise of between 2% and 3.5%.

The lowest paid 40% of teachers will be eligible for a 3.5% baseline pay rise in 2018-19, equivalent to at least £800. Teachers in the Upper Pay Range will be eligible for a 2% baseline pay rise, and leadership pay ranges will be uplifted by a 1.5%.

The Armed Forces will see their highest pay rise since 2010, with service personnel set to receive receive a 2% increase to salaries plus a 0.9% one off payment, worth a combined £980 for the average member of the armed forces.

Police officers will receive a 2% baseline pay rise in 2018-19, worth £760 to a police constable on an average wage while Prison Officers will receive a 2.75% pay rise in 2018-19. To manage affordability in future years, this will be paid as a 2% baseline pay rise with an additional 0.75% bonus payment. 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% increase this year.

Dentists and junior doctors will receive a 2% baseline pay rise from October 2018; Consultants will receive 1.5% baseline increase and 0.5% targeted at performance; GPs will receive 2% baseline increase with a further 1% potentially available subject to contract reform; the small minority of Specialty Doctors will receive a baseline pay rise of 3% from October 2018.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “This is fantastic news, our dedicated public sector workers deserve to be fairly rewarded for the vital work they do. This announcement ensures that public sector workers are rewarded for their hard work, while making it affordable for the taxpayers. These rises have only been made possible by out balanced approach to the economy.”