SNP MSPs Joan McAlpine and Emma Harper are calling on the UK Government to stop flip-flopping on public sector pay and endorse the SNP’s policy to end the pay cap.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay told the Scottish Parliament last week that the “time was up” for the annual 1% limit on public sector pay.
The SNP Scottish Government is now engaging with trade unions ahead of the next Scottish budget to discuss a future public sector pay policy that recognises both rising living costs and the need for sustainable public finances in order to ensure fairer pay for nurses, teachers and all public sector workers in Dumfries and Galloway.
Ms McAlpine said:
“The SNP Scottish Government has listened to independent pay recommendations – showing the many nurses, doctors and police officers and thousands more public sector workers in Dumfries and Galloway that their incredible service is valued and that they deserve pay that reflects real life circumstances.
“Indeed, showing public sector workers in Dumfries and Galloway how much we value their service is ever more pertinent as we face endless Brexit uncertainty that is driving inflation, forcing up living costs and intensifying recruitment problems – risking a Brexit brain drain.
Ms Harper added:
“As a former nurse I am delighted that the Scottish Government has taken this decision. This SNP Government has consistently delivered better pay and conditions for NHS Staff than has been seen across the rest of the UK – and I am pleased that we are going further by scrapping the 1% cap.
“With some public sector workers in Dumfries and Galloway still subject to UK wide pay policies – the Tories must act and act now to confirm that the pay cap will be scrapped.
“The clear message coming from Scotland to the Tory government is to end austerity, and end it now.“
