PCS condemned the government today for deciding to impose a real-terms pay cut on key civil servants.

The public-services union had made interim demands during the coronavirus crisis for a significant above-inflation rise in salaries as PCS members carry out vital work.

But ministers have agreed to go ahead with plans to cap to any rises at between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent for staff in the Department for Work & Pensions, HMRC, the Home Office and elsewhere. 

Inflation, as measured by the Retail Price Index, is currently running at 2.6 per cent.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It is an outrageous swindle that ministers have embarked upon by offering our members a pay cut in return for their Herculean efforts during the corona pandemic.  

“It shows the hypocrisy of ministers, who on the one hand applaud and praise public-sector workers but do not think they are worthy of a genuine pay rise.

“Ministers have missed an opportunity to increase pay across the board, and the union will continue to campaign for pay justice until we get what our members are entitled to for the hard work they do every day serving the public.”