MPs debate public sector pay

Beth Winter, Labour MP for Cynon Valley, secured a debate in Westminster Hall on 17 January on the subject of public sector pay for 2024/25.

Beth opened the debate by saying: “the past two years have seen a significant fall in the real-terms value of public sector pay, which has been part of 14 years of brutal real-terms pay reductions that have driven down living standards for working people.”

She said that “this year’s pay settlement must deliver at least an inflation-proof pay rise to ensure that it does not worsen the cost of living crisis… after more than a decade of real-terms pay decline for public sector workers under the Tories, I will set out the need for Government to commit to the principle of pay restoration.”

Apsana Begum, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse referred to the DWP dossier of testimonials from PCS members and she highlighted how the staffing crisis in DWP is creating an “epidemic of mental ill health”. She suggested that the government should make an “urgent intervention” to raise the pay of the 25% of PCS members at the DWP who are currently paid below the real living wage.

Olivia Blake, Labour MP for Sheffield, Hallam, read out a quote from a DWP worker and again referred to the PCS DWP dossier of member testimonies. She highlighted how low pay is the “source of the recruitment crisis in the DWP”.

Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool, West Derby, also mentioned the survey of PCS members and the impact on them of the cost-of-living crisis and low pay.

Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South West and chair of the PCS parliamentary group, said: There are 200 separate pay negotiations for the UK civil service. That is a completely and utterly ludicrous position….Can the Minister also explain why staff at the Pensions Regulator are currently taking industrial action? The Pensions Regulator is not complying with the Government’s own pay remit: it is offering less than the remit says.”

Responding to the debate, Bim Afolamin, the economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “The Government hope to strike a balance on pay awards this year. On one hand, those awards should provide a fair, reasonable and proportionate offer for our public sector workers. At the same time, it is paramount that they deliver value for the taxpayer, particularly given the wider economic situation and the implications for the public finances.”

Closing the debate, Beth Winter thanked “our trade unions and, most importantly, all public sector workers. They do amazing work under very difficult circumstances, and they deserve proper pay awards.”

Read the debate in full online on the government’s Hansard website.