According to government recommendations, millions of public sector employees in England and Wales could receive a 3.5% pay increase, below the current rate of inflation.
The proposal was announced on Tuesday, and independent Pay Review Bodies are currently reviewing it.
This follows a period of strike action by public sector employees who rejected the pay deal from the previous year.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has cancelled its 48-hour strike scheduled for next week in England in order to resume negotiations with the government in light of the new pay recommendations.
Inflation was 10.1% in January, down from 10.5% in December 2022, according to the most recent data, suggesting that the proposed pay increase could leave many public sector employees worse off after accounting for inflation.
Judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors, and dentists are among the public sector employees affected by the proposed pay raise. However, the Pay Review Bodies may recommend a higher award, and the government will make the final determination.
Commenting on the news, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Dame Donna Kinnair said, “We understand how difficult these times are for everyone, and we have made this decision to help move the process forward and prevent further disruption, especially at a time when our members are working so diligently to protect and care for patients.”
It remains to be seen what the outcome of the Pay Review Bodies’ deliberation will be and whether or not public sector employees will receive a sufficient pay raise.
