Public Sector Pay Rise for Lower Paid Staff (Last Year's Spending Review)

sparky0138

News in the press of the public sector pay freeze ending has reminded me of a pay rise for lower paid people that was promised last year. In the 2020 spending review, Rishi Sunak announced that although there would be a freeze for most public sector workers, those who earned less that £24,000 would get a guaranteed pay rise of at least £250.

Public Sector Pay Plans for 2021-22

It occurred to me that I haven't had that pay rise and I was just wondering if anyone else was in the same boat. Unless I'm not classified as a public sector worker now that the school I clean in was changed to an academy a few years ago? Does anyone know please?

Jillanddy

Rishi Sunak does not dictate to employers, whether public sector or not, what pay rises people get. Pay rises in the public sector are negotiated between representatives of the employers bodies and the relevant trade unions. 

You shouldn't believe everything that politicians say. 

sparky0138

From the page I linked to: "The 2.1 million public sector workers who earn below the median wage of £24,000, will be guaranteed a pay rise of at least £250."

I'm not saying what you said isn't true, I'm just wondering how he is therefore able/allowed to make the above statement.

Jillanddy

He's a politician. As I have told you, public sector pay is negotiated between the employers body (there are several) and the relevant unions. 

But £250 is only about 1% of £24,000. Not much really is it? Compared to the 2.8% for doctors and dentists last year (public sector workers) or the 2.5% for police and prison officers - and more here from last year 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pay-rises-for-doctors-police-and-more-in-the-public-sector
Want to bet how much of those payrises went to the lowest paid? Or what they were worth to people? Put it this way - I wouldn't suggest asking your employer where the £250 Rishi promised you is. 

Thrugelmir

Possibly your incumbrent union is currently arguing with your employer. Hence why it hasn't been paid yet. My experience is for pay rises to eventually be awarded months later. With the union achieving nothing. 

Jillanddy

Thrugelmir said:

Possibly your incumbrent union is currently arguing with your employer. Hence why it hasn't been paid yet. My experience is for pay rises to eventually be awarded months later. With the union achieving nothing. 

That may be correct. Assuming the OP is even in a union. But "the union" is not the negotiators. It is the whole of the membership. If the membership are not willing to fight for their pay and conditions then negotiators cannot hope to achieve anything. You get the union you deserve. Or not even that, if you you aren't in one. 

Marvel1

Jillanddy said:

Rishi Sunak does not dictate to employers, whether public sector or not, what pay rises people get. Pay rises in the public sector are negotiated between representatives of the employers bodies and the relevant trade unions. 

You shouldn't believe everything that politicians say. 

Going to sound stupid here as wasn't aware of this but does that include the national minimum wage? 

sammyjammy

Marvel1 said:

Jillanddy said:

Rishi Sunak does not dictate to employers, whether public sector or not, what pay rises people get. Pay rises in the public sector are negotiated between representatives of the employers bodies and the relevant trade unions. 

You shouldn't believe everything that politicians say. 

Going to sound stupid here as wasn't aware of this but does that include the national minimum wage? 

No it doesn't minimum wage is set in law.