Never was there more truth in the old adage about every organisation that is not specifically right-wing eventually becoming left-wing. The pay review bodies which are supposed to provide independent advice to the government on public sector pay have become a menace. They have become advocates for trade unions and care not a jot about the taxpayer.
Teaching and nursing unions are threatening strikes if the government does not accept the recommendations of pay review bodies. The one concerned with teachers’ pay has suggested a 4 per cent rise and the one regarding nurses’ pay is suggesting over 3 per cent. They may seem modest rises, except that inflation is down to 2.6 per cent and productivity in the public sector has gone into reverse. Moreover, the government borrowed £16.4 billion last month alone, taking borrowing in the year to March to £151.9 billion.
Public sector pay awards are always going to be political
A genuinely independent pay review body would rapidly conclude that any pay rise over the rate of inflation would be a reckless move which puts the UK public finances even closer to disaster.
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