Fran has long curly hair and is sitting in front of a PCS backdrop, smiling at the camera

25 March 2025

Activate: Government pay offers must reflect cost-of-living pressures

In her latest column for Activate, Fran writes about cost-of-living pressures, civil service budget cuts and our members opposing forced returns to the office.

As we enter the new financial year, it is clear that cost-of-living pressures are rising for all members – as water and energy bills have been hiked, council tax increases, rent rises, and rail fares go up above inflation too.

Unhelpful briefings from government in recent weeks about civil service budget cuts and potential job losses have also caused members anguish. We immediately demanded talks with the Cabinet Office in order to seek assurances.

For many of our disabled members, the government’s proposals on disability benefits are another source of anguish – we are already working with a number of campaign groups and allies to build the broadest coalition to oppose these cuts.

Inflation is currently 2.8% and is forecast to average 3.2% this year. It is clear that the government will need to reflect this reality in any pay offer in the coming months.

But there is some good news on the cost-of-living front. As you may know, I have been arguing since last year that the national levy should be paused, as members were no longer taking action under the national campaign mandate. Last month the NEC finally agreed to pause the levy – so members should now see a reduction in their subs.

Over recent weeks and months it has been a privilege to join our members on their picket lines as they take action – whether that’s over low pay, forced office attendance or other issues.

Our members working on outsourced contracts such as cleaners, security guards and catering staff have taken an extended period of strike action over pay, terms and conditions, including sick pay. They have been an inspiration.

For years, governments failed to take responsibility for workers on outsourced contracts, but our members have forced change. We are in talks with the Cabinet Office aimed at resolving the disputes and on coherence and insourcing. This is a welcome recognition that they have a role to play, and we are working hard in those talks with government and contractors to secure real gains for our members.

I’ve also recently been on the picket lines of our members opposed to forced returns to the office. Our members value the flexibility of homeworking and cost savings it can bring, after years of pay suppression.

There are also savings for the employer on reduced office costs if more staff work from home – and those savings should be recycled into better pay and staffing in the areas that need it.

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