COMMENT

The Scottish Government has waded into the growing row within the UK cabinet over the cap on public sector pay in a bid to exploit post-election Tory divisions on austerity.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has written to Philip Hammond asking for talks to find a “sustainable” way for public sector workers to get a pay rise, with the Chancellor’s colleagues continuing their pressure for a rethink.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron also stepped into the debate yesterday when he attacked “selfish” politicians who risked national finances in an attempt to appear “compassionate”.

Speaking at a conference in Seoul, South Korea, Mr Cameron said: “Giving up on sound finances isn’t being generous, it’s being selfish: spending money today that

“Our policy on public sector pay has always been designed to strike the right balance between being fair to our public servants”

PHILIP HAMMOND