Philip Hammond confirms above-inflation pay boost for public sector workers
3 min read
Public sector workers will see their pay rise above inflation for the second year running, Philip Hammond has confirmed.
The Chancellor revealed that teachers, doctors, soldiers and police officers would all see their salaries jump by more than 2%, with raises backdated to the start of each workforce’s financial year.
The Treasury says the 2.75% boost for classroom teachers amounted to an extra £1,000, while a hospital doctor's 2.5% rise will see them earn on average £1,500 more.
A soldier at Corporal level would see a 2.9% raise, worth £995, while an officer’s starting salary is to go up by £769.
Police constables will earn up to £978, 2.5%, more in the coming year, while prison officers will see their earnings rise by 2.2%.
Elsewhere, dentists' pay will go up by 2.5%. The salaries of senior civil servants and senior military staff will rise by 2% - just above the current 1.9% rate of inflation.
Mr Hammond, who has announced that he will stand down as Chancellor this week if Boris Johnson wins the race to become the next Prime Minister, said the pay boosts would help the public sector to “recruit and retain staff”.
“Public sector workers deliver Britain’s world class public services and should be properly rewarded which is why I’m confirming a second year of above inflation pay rises today,” he said.
“This is in recognition of the hard work of millions of people, including soldiers, teachers and doctors, and will help us recruit and retain the best staff.
“We are able to afford these pay rises because our balanced approach means we have reduced our debt while investing in public services, including pay.”
'BRILLIANT JOB'
The move comes as Theresa May tries to shore up her legacy in her final days as Prime Minister.
The outgoing PM said: “Whether it’s keeping us safe, saving lives or educating the next generation, our public sector workers deserve this pay rise in recognition of the brilliant job they do on a daily basis.
“In 2017 we ended the public sector pay cap and I’m pleased that we can build on this today by giving almost a million of our dedicated public servants an above inflation salary increase.”
Ministers spent £190.95bn on pay last year, up from £171.59bn in 2015/16.
But the Liberal Democrats said the Government had left a "black hole" of £280m in the Department for Education to fund part of the planned teacher pay boost.
Education spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "Teachers will welcome this well-deserved pay increase but it will subject schools to further misery.
“Headteachers must now decide which support staff they will have to sack or which basic supplies they will have to cut back on to afford this underfunded pay rise. No headteacher should have to make these sorts of decisions – schools should be fully funded and teachers should be paid properly."
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