We are the heart of public services
4 September 2008
I work as an admin officer in the safer custody department logging self-harm data, quality checking documents for prisoners on ‘suicide watch’, maintaining logs about violent incidents, and inputting into policies and protocols.
Susan and her son. The squeeze on public sector pay means she's finding it harder to make ends meet. Photo: Karen Robinson.
I consider it one of the most high profile admin jobs in the prison, and with no cover when I’m on leave I have to play catch up on my return.
For this I’m paid just £14,958 and low pay is having a major impact on my life. My son turned nine in July and I struggled to buy him the birthday present he wanted.
I am the only breadwinner as his father passed away shortly after he was born, which means we have to survive on my pay and tax credits alone.
I am confused how the government can say increasing public servants’ pay leads to inflation.
I’m also baffled that, having been in my grade for four years, I’m still pretty much on the minimum, earning the same as those who have been in the grade for one year.
I miss out on a substantial pay rise each time they increase the minimum as I always end up falling into the new minimum pay bracket.
I never seem to progress, so my pay increases by 2.5 – 3% each year, yet the cost of living increases by so much more.
Susan Dower, HM Prison Frankland, Durham
I am an incapacity benefit decision maker, and as an executive officer on the maximum of the national scale with more than 35 years’ service, I feel unwanted and taken for granted by my employer.
Not only do I have to cope with the ever increasing cost of living – with the prices of food, petrol, gas and electricity going up alarmingly when compared to my rise in salary – I am also expected to accept a pay rise of 3% spread over three consecutive years, while inflation is currently at 4.3% and rising.
On top of this, I am very concerned about my future civil service pension entitlement which will be based upon the best of the three years before my 60th birthday.
As I am now aged 58 I shall be expected to survive on a pension in 2010 that will be based on the equivalent of 2005 or 2006 pay rates due to the effects of inflation.
I regard this as totally unjust since our employer frequently uses our supposedly excellent pension rights as an excuse for restricting our pay rises.
I have expressed my disgust at this treatment to my MP at two parliamentary lobbies.
Tim Donovan, Benefit Delivery Centre, Derby
My job as an international trade adviser involves supporting local businesses looking to export their products and services.
I travel around the north west visiting companies as well as overseas to trade shows and missions.
I am seconded to a team that that comes from industrial, private and public sector backgrounds. We all cover the same work but our salaries can vary enormously, as much as £10–£15,000. This of course has a serious impact on morale.
As a disabled person I am finding everyday living becoming more difficult. Fuel especially has increased, but the 40p per mile expense claim has not for many years.
We are expected to volunteer to take on extra duties, including presentations and accompanying delegations, which I am willing to do as I enjoy my job but I sometimes feel I am not rewarded enough if I do.
I am about to go onto temporary promotion but this will not increase my monthly salary very much. The strain on me has been significant.
I have had nearly two months of ill health, but have carried on working. This I know is partly down to the pressure of the job as well as the worry about how costs are rising and how I will cope in the future.
Carol Wilson, UK Trade and Investment North West
Like many young members, low pay has a big impact on my day-to-day life.
Electricity, gas and water bills have all increased, rent is going up, food and fuel prices are rising, but my salary has not increased by the same amount.
Young workers’ outgoings increase the same as older workers whose salaries are often higher, so the effects of inflation on our young members can be are greater.
Small percentage increases in basic needs is of no consequence to city fat cats, but they make a huge difference to the budgets of members like me.
This has a disproportionate effect because we spend a higher proportion of our income on basic items.
Low paid workers often have to take more than one job. Some of my colleagues work in pubs and bars but again on low hourly rates. We do the jobs that no one else wants because of the low pay.
Due to the government’s policy of capping pay rises below inflation, more people are going to be in debt and this will not improve if departments are not allowed to meet our pay claims.
Jane Warburton, HMRC contact centre, Salford
I work as a complex caseworker and am married with two young daughters amd my last pay rise was in July 2007.
Mohammed has had to stop using his car, and is struggling with rising energy costs. Photo: Karen Robinson.
We managed to scrape a holiday last year but we can’t go this year because of the increases in prices of everything. We sat down and did the sums and it just wasn’t possible.
I have had to stop driving my car to work because the cost of my petrol has gone up from £55 a week to £70, and I can’t afford it.
It used to take me 20 minutes to get to work by car, now it takes me one-and-a-half hours on the train.
We’re also struggling with rising energy bills. I have had to take a second job as a taxi driver and work 26 hours at the weekend.
It means I don’t have much time to see my family but it is the only way we can make ends meet.
It is putting a strain on us because I am spending so much time away from home, when I’d much rather be with my family.
Several people in my office have had to take on second jobs at weekends. In the past we used to be able to rely on our civil service jobs, but not anymore.
Mohammed Shafiq, Child Support Agency, Stockport
For more about our national campaign for fair pay visit the campaign pages of this website.
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9 September 2008
I received a 0.998 percent pay rise in recognition of my 13 years loyal service. I received 8.5 pence per hour or £185 pounds per year increase. I work for HM Coastguard and this year can expect no more than 2 percent. How does Mr Darling expect us to live ? 2 percent of his pay is a lot more than 2 percent of mine. Listen to us Mr Darling.
Dave Macbeth