The reality of low pay
DVLA members working on Drivers Medical, assessing people’s medical ability to drive before granting them a driving licence, explain the impact of the government's policies on pay and why they are taking strike action.
Louise said: “I am striking as I, like everyone else, have not had a fair pay rise in years. I am striking to try to achieve a resolution to our pension dispute and because I believe that no civil servant should be having to use a food bank.”
And another DVLA member told us : “I have worked at the DVLA since I was 18, over 27 years of loyal service, even throughout the pandemic.
“I was happy with my pay at the start: I bought a house, went on holidays and even managed to save a little nest egg. However, the years of pay freezes and squeezes mean that today, I am forced to stay in an abusive marriage which I can't leave because my pay wouldn't be enough for me and my children to live off. This is my reality, Rishi. This is how you are making people suffer.”