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Public Sector Pay: Proposed Strike Action — [Sir Edward Leigh in the Chair]
01 November 2022
Lead MP
Beth Winter
Responding Minister
Victoria Atkins
Tags
EconomyEmployment
Word Count: 13269
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Beth Winter raised concerns about public sector pay: proposed strike action — [sir edward leigh in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Ms Winter urges the Government to explore alternative funding methods through wealth taxation and progressive tax policies to fund a fair, inflation-proofed pay rise for public sector workers. She calls for an end to austerity measures that have harmed living standards over the past decade.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Ms Winter is concerned about the erosion of public sector pay due to austerity measures and inflation. She highlights that over a million trade unionists are being balloted for industrial action, with many in education, health, and fire service sectors facing significant pay reductions. The current cost-of-living crisis exacerbates this issue, pushing workers into poverty. Workers have been forced to take drastic measures such as turning off utilities to cope. Ms Winter also notes the human cost behind these figures, including stories of public sector staff struggling financially.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
The below-inflation pay rises by the Government come after a decade of public sector key worker pay cuts. Research shows one in five key worker households has children living in poverty, with nearly 1 million this year. Despite facing financial hardships, the Government continues to drive families into desperate poverty through real-terms social security payment cuts. The challenges now faced are not new; austerity is a political choice. Any failure to deliver pay awards in line with inflation means key workers face more hardship. Public sector strike action may occur due to government's choices.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Chris Bryant argued that workers' right to withdraw their labour is a fundamental human right. He highlighted the struggles of key workers during the pandemic, noting significant energy cost increases in his constituency, particularly for those on low wages. He pointed out the impact of high inflation on essentials like food and housing, along with concerns over mortgage costs and pension devaluation. Bryant also criticized wage suppression across public sectors such as the NHS and Royal Mail, calling it counterproductive and worsening staff shortages. He intervened, highlighting the shameful situation where nurses have resorted to food banks due to inadequate wages.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Chris Stephens argued that wage restraint in the public sector has failed and highlighted issues such as energy price hikes, food costs, and reliance on food banks by DWP workers. He questioned the Government's priorities of giving bankers bonuses while holding down public servants' pay and criticised the proposed Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill for undermining devolved powers.
Claudia Webbe
Lab
Leicester East
Public sector workers are in two or three jobs, relying on food banks with their heating off. Workers are organising mass strikes to make the Government listen. The wealth of those in the top 20% has doubled from £5 trillion in 2008 to nearly £10 trillion in 2020, while public sector workers suffer in-work poverty.
Clive Lewis
Lab
Norwich South
Thanks my hon. Friend for initiating this critical debate and highlights the human cost of public sector strikes, referencing a decade of failure in mental health services and current bottlenecks causing delays that lead to deaths in the NHS.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
The speaker criticised the government for economic chaos and highlighted the impact of the botched mini-Budget on public sector workers. He emphasised the right to withdraw labour as a fundamental human right under section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, expressing concern over potential attacks on working people's rights through new legislation such as the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill. Linden also discussed the impact of industrial action in Scotland and the need for fiscal responsibility.
George Howarth
Lab
Knowsley
Apologises for leaving early due to another commitment but agrees with my hon. Friend's case for public sector workers not being the most penalised, highlighting potential labour shortages in vast parts of the public sector as workers seek higher pay elsewhere.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
The UK has the most restrictive trade union laws in developed countries due to the Conservative Government's Trade Union Act 2016. Public sector unions face numerous challenges, including pay freezes and attacks on pensions. The PCS is calling for an end to civil service job cuts, a 10% pay rise, living wage of £15 an hour, and pension contribution relief. Rail workers have also faced exploitation with open-ended pay freezes and no budget increases. Prison officers, despite difficult jobs, face limited industrial action rights. The Fire Brigades Union has seen staff offers upped from 2% to 5%, but with a funding caveat.
Hayes and Harlington
John Martin McDonnell highlighted the ongoing industrial action in north-west London, particularly focusing on Barnet Unison members who are on their 11th day of all-out strike action against unfair sick pay policies by Barnet Homes. He criticised the CEO's £202,000 annual wage and called for respect towards workers and a return to negotiations with fair terms.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
He criticized the Government's anti-trade union rhetoric, noting that agency worker regulations have failed to reduce industrial action. He questioned further proposals on tailored minimum thresholds for staffing levels in different industries, suggesting it is impractical and immoral. Madders also highlighted double standards regarding electronic voting used by political parties but not trade unions. He emphasised supporting workers' rights to improve conditions, citing research that one in three workers do not feel comfortable approaching managers about problems.
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Mr MacAskill supports the strike action and criticises the Government's proposed actions, stating that they are unacceptable and counterproductive. He argues that the right to strike is fundamental in a democracy for controlling terms and conditions of employment beyond just pay issues.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
A low pay offer will lead to disillusionment among public sector workers, impacting recruitment and retention, with staff seeking higher wages in the private sector. Ministers must urgently undertake a full impact assessment before finalising any decisions on a full pay offer.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Sefton Central
My hon. Friend is making such a powerful speech, agreeing that regardless of occupation in the public sector, it is about a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Expressed concern about the decline in living standards and wage cuts, highlighting that wages have fallen by almost 3% in real terms over the past year. Emphasised that workers resort to strike action as a last resort when they feel disrespected by their bosses and the Government. Criticised the context of proposed pay cuts during inflationary pressures and austerity measures.
Sarah Jones
Lab
Croydon West
She discussed the need for public sector workers to have a fair and secure pay environment, citing issues such as speech and language therapists struggling with recruitment due to low pay. She also mentioned concerns about proposed restrictions on striking rights and reports of a 2% across-the-board pay rise.
Tony Lloyd
Lab
Manchester Central
Tony Lloyd suggested lifting the cap on national insurance contributions to raise funds for the NHS. He highlighted high vacancy rates in healthcare and teaching, noting that teacher salaries have decreased by around 20% since 2010. Lloyd criticised the government's approach to public sector pay, arguing it has led to a lack of commitment among workers.
Government Response
Victoria Atkins
Government Response
The Minister thanked Members for their contributions and acknowledged the importance of public sector workers to the country. She highlighted rising inflation and its impact on daily essentials, while emphasising economic stability as a priority. The Minister outlined support measures such as the energy price guarantee, providing £1,200 of support to vulnerable households through various schemes including a one-off payment of £650 for those on means-tested benefits. She discussed the role of independent pay review bodies in setting public sector pay and highlighted specific increases for nurses (£1,400 increase) and teachers (minimum 5% increase). The Minister expressed disappointment over proposed strike action by some unions.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.