“Worst salary squeeze on public sector since Thatcher must end,” demands Union

Public sector workers have been slapped with a decade long “pay pinch” and now inflation caused by Brexit has worsened the pay problems for midwives, teaching assistants and refuse collectors amongst others.

The GMB union claims the public sector is now suffering from the worst salary squeeze since the Thatcher government

The government cap on wages means that full-time workers, in the public sector, now actually face a real terms reduction in income.

On average this will be a huge £4,073 cut by 2020, £1,426 of the figures can be linked to inflation rises due to the decision to leave the EU.

This news comes from a report, ‘End the Public Sector Pay Pinch,’ written in response to the public sector salary cuts.

New independent House of Commons Library research obtained by GMB on pay policy since 1979 confirms that the Government’s pay restraint policy is even more severe than those imposed under Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

The union’s analysis reveals the total sum lost in wages from 2010 to 2020.

• Teaching assistant: lost £6,531 since 2010 and set to lose £2,337 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £8,868)

• Refuse collector: lost £6,659 since 2010 and set to lose a further £2,383 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £9,042)

• Hospital porter: lost £7,285 since 2010 and set to lose a further £2,394 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £9,679)

• 999 call handler: lost £8,646 since 2010 and set to lose a further £2,617 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £11,263)

• Qualified residential care worker: lost £8,624 since 2010 and is set to lose a further £3,085 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £11,709)

• Social worker: lost £9,565 since 2010 and is set to lose a further £3,422 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £12,987)

• Homelessness prevention officer: lost £11,114 since 2010 and is set to lose a further £3,976 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £15,090)

• Staff nurse: lost £14,572 since 2010 and is set to lose a further £3,788 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £18,360)

• Midwife: lost £18,011 since 2010 and is set to lose a further £4,691 by 2020 (total loss 2010-20: £22,702)

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary said:

“The gruelling salary squeeze Theresa May is presiding over is even more severe than under Thatcher and Major, with many workers set to effectively lose tens of thousands of pounds by 2020.”

“It’s high time for public sector workers to be paid their dues – this decade long pay pinch needs to end.”