MAY’S FINAL INSULT
Unions’ fury as PM links pay rises to more cuts
FURIOUS unions blasted Theresa May last night for failing to deliver extra cash to fund muchneeded public sector pay rises.
Workers’ leaders fear cuts to vital services as wage increases will have to come from existing budgets.
Police officers are set to receive 2.5%, soldiers 2.9% and teachers and other school staff 2.75%. Senior civil servants are in line for a 2% rise.
Unison’s Christina McAnea said: “The Government must stump up the extra cash for any pay increase. Otherwise services at breaking point will have to be cut further, close altogether or lose yet more staff.” Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail added: “Read the small print and there is no new money for these below inflation pay rises which exclude nearly two thirds of public sector workers.”
Teachers’ leaders fear heads would be forced to rob from other budgets to fund the increases for staff.
National Education Union joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “Funding pressures on schools are already leading to the laying off of support staff, less equipment, secondary schools cutting subjects.”
Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey warned police chiefs would also struggle to balance the books. He said: “Police budgets are already massively overly-stretched.” Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson said the rises were only just above inflation and below private sector hikes of 3.4% on average.
Prospect union chief Garry Graham said: “With MPs receiving a 2.7% increase in April, these double standards smack of hypocrisy.”
Read the small print and there is no money for these pay rises GAIL CARTMAIL UNION BOSS ON LACK OF FUNDING