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Thousands Of Public Sector Workers, Including Teachers And Soldiers, Set For Pay Rise

Thousands Of Public Sector Workers, Including Teachers And Soldiers, Set For Pay Rise

It's Theresa May's last act as PM

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

It's good news for almost a million UK public sector workers, including teachers and soldiers, because the government has just announced a new raft of pay rises.

The pay rises are worth around £1,000 a year for each public sector worker, the Treasury has announced, with dentists, police constables, civil servants and prison officers among those set to benefit.

The pay boosts will be Theresa May's final act as Prime Minister before she steps down later this month.

May said today: "Whether it's keeping us safe, saving lives or educating the next generation, our public sector workers deserve this pay rise in recognition of the brilliant job they do on a daily basis.

"In 2017 we ended the public sector pay cap and I'm pleased that we can build on this today by giving almost a million of our dedicated public servants an above-inflation salary increase."

The pay rises will be backdated for the start of the financial year, which began in April.

The money will come from existing budgets, with no extra funding.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, added: "Public sector workers deliver Britain's world class public services and should be properly rewarded, which is why I'm confirming a second year of above inflation pay rises today.

Many public sector workers will see their pay boosted by a £1,000 a year.
PA

"This is in recognition of the hard work of millions of people, including soldiers, teachers and doctors, and will help us recruit and retain the best staff.

"We are able to afford these pay rises because our balanced approach means we have reduced our debt while investing in public services, including pay."

The rise will see teachers get a 2.75 percent rise, 2.9 percent for personnel in the armed forces, 2.5 percent for consultants, police officers and dentists, at least 2.2 percent for prison officers and 2 percent for senior civil servants and senior military staff.

In real terms, this means on average £1,000 for teachers, £1,500 for doctors and £978 for police constables.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: "No soldier, sailor, airman or woman should be asked to serve our country and not be properly rewarded, which is why I'm pleased we have accepted the pay review body's recommendation for an above-inflation rise this year."

Pay for most public sector workers rose above inflation in 2018 after the 1 percent pay rise cap was scrapped in 2017.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Politics