The Public sector pay cap must go

Austerity has been dead since Theresa May lost her mandate following the Snap General Election earlier this year. It's unnecessary, and cruel, to maintain the public sector pay cap. From the outset, most observers believe that public sector workers have been receiving a pay increase of 1% per annum. But, this is the illusion of our false economy.

In reality, due to the impact of inflation, public workers have received a pay cut for the past seven years.

For example, according to the Royal College of Nurses, nursing pay has fallen by 14% in real terms since 2010. We should all welcome proposals to abolish the cap, as has been outlined to an extent this week, but need to examine the track record of ministers to ensure that they have the best interests of workers at heart. Also, pay rises must be fair and ensure that workers are able to earn the living wage.

Personally, I find it most disturbing when praise is given to our emergency services following horrific events but ministers continue to implement public sector cuts. It seems they care not for the working people of this country, unless it provides them with a political advantage. Our society also needs to realise that the pay cap doesn't just affect workers, but impacts upon the entire community. Failing to provide nurses with enough pay to survive is hardly an endorsement for prospective students. Our economy is the fifth largest in the world, and yet some of our public sector workers are going hungry which adds more pressure to local foodbanks which simply cannot meet current levels of demand. Chief Executives, and senior members within the NHS, manage to recieve a decent pay increase year after year, so why can't nurses? Because of the rigged economy which has been established to benefit those with wealth and power.

Quite simply, the retention of wealth is more important to the Tories than the retention of nurses. Theresa May infamously declared to a nurse earlier this year that a pay rise was not possible as there was 'no magic money tree'. Shortly afterwards May formed her lucrative confidence and supply deal with the DUP, giving them one billion pounds. Either May found a 'magic money tree', or providing nurses with fair pay was not a priority at that time.

Sir Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Leader and former supporter of the pay cap, acknowledged that the country is 'struggling to recruit and retain public sector staff and the effects of this recruitment crisis are being felt across the board'. Whilst Union Leaders took this message further demanding that pay rises be extended to those not covered by pay review bodies, such as school support staff and council staff. Earlier this week, a motion was brought before parliament which aimed to abolish the pay cap and managed to gain cross-party support. Even the Democratic Unionists abandoned their allegiance toward the Conservative Party.

However, every single Tory MP abstained and failed to provide immediate financial relief to those in dire need. Abstaining appears to be their latest tactic, and was used following a motion on the planned increase in tuition fees. Refusing to vote on these issues is problematic, as it clearly sets the tone that the Tories continue to support the pay cap, and support planned increases in tuition fees. Meanwhile, support for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party continues to grow. In early September a poll carried out by Survation put Labour at 43%, whilst the Conservatives fell 5 points behind at 38%. It's clear that austerity is dead, and so is the pay cap. Theresa May lost her mandate in June, and the people have had enough of needless political austerity that benefits the wealthiest within our society.

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