Chancellor should be showing support for public sector

20 November 2020

The Chancellor of the Exchequer should be showing the Government’s support for public sector workers not considering freezing their pay, according to the chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation.

Geoff Bardell was reacting to speculation that Rishi Sunak may freeze the pay of more than five million workers in the public sector.

“Our members, along with other people working to provide services for our communities, have worked incredibly hard during the pandemic, putting their lives on the line and risking taking back the virus to their own families,” says Geoff.

“It seems incredible to me that the Government would even consider freezing their pay. I think we should actually see the Chancellor come out and voice his support for public sector workers. While we all appreciate the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, it cannot be right to freeze public sector workers’ pay when you consider their efforts over the last eight months.

“I know many colleagues are exhausted right now and if this speculation is right it will feel very much like kicking them when they are down.”

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has warned the Government that a public sector pay freeze would be unforgiveable and a betrayal.

“Given the personal sacrifices made by public sector workers during this pandemic and following years of public sector pay freezes, such a move would be morally bankrupt. My colleagues deserve much more,” he said.

“During the pandemic, Government ministers have thanked and celebrated key workers in the public sector, even clapping on doorsteps to show their support. To freeze their pay and penalise these same workers would be complete hypocrisy.

“In real terms over the past decade, police officers have suffered an 18 per cent cut in pay - so speculation that there are more real term cuts to come will not be well received by rank and file police officers, who bravely stepped up and helped to keep the country moving.

“I am not naïve - I know the country is facing a difficult financial future. But cutting the pay of key workers is not the solution.”