Pay rise for Government staff

Departments need to make up shortfall

In the wake of a General Election where the public sector pension black-hole was a matter of concern and debate, civil servants have been given a pay rise.

The day after the night before and government workers will receive a 2.2% increase in their salaries.

The overall cost to departments is put at £2.95 million.

Tim Glover reports:-

The 2.2% rise follows independent and binding arbitration - Government offered 1% while the unions sought 4.4%.

Treasury forecasts were based on a 1% increase in pay - now each government department will have to fund the unbudgeted portion of about £1.6 million from within their existing budgets.

Belt tightening all round again - and some comment about why this announcement wasn't made before the General Election.