Liberal Democrats MPs have supported plans to end the public sector pay cap in amendments on the Queens Speech being considered by Parliament. This follows a clear Manifesto Commitment to end the 1% pay cap by the Party.

After the Conservatives were elected as a majority government in 2015, then chancellor George Osborne said that he would continue with the 1% limit until 2020 as part of the government’s deficit reduction plan. Representatives of civil service employees have said that there was now “an emerging consensus that the 1% pay cap is damaging the capacity of our public services to respond to the challenges facing the UK – public services have seen their living standards cut by 15% or more since 2010 with further cuts still to come under current government plans”

Around a quarter of people in Bury work in the public sector (stats from 2011). Figures were announced this week that more midwives and nurses are leaving the profession in the UK than joining for the first time on record, with the number departing having risen by 51% in just four years. The figures, which will add to concerns about NHS staff shortages, show that 20% more people left the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register than joined it in 2016/17.

Vince Cable MP, who is hoping to be the Party’s next Leader said that “public sector workers faced a double blow under the Conservative government, with years of “pitiful” increases to pay combined with higher inflation”.

“Our NHS and schools are already struggling to recruit the staff they need. A better future is available. We will stand up for our schools and hospitals and give hard-working nurses, teachers and police the pay rise they deserve.”