Hampshire Fire Brigades Union chief slams government’s pay freeze for those who ‘put their neck on the line’

With the exception of the NHS, the chancellor yesterday announced that public sector workers earning over £24,000 per year will have their pay frozen to help offset the financial impact of the pandemic.

The county’s union chief, Mark Chapman said: ‘So there we have it. Public sector workers who worked throughout the Covid-19 crisis now also have to pay for it.

‘The chancellor has frozen the pay of firefighters, police officers, teachers and other public servants - the very people who put their necks on the line to keep society going through the worst crisis in a lifetime.’

To justify the pay freeze the chancellor cited a one per cent fall in private sector pay in the six months leading up to September compared to a 3.9 percent rise in public wages over the same period.

However this was dismissed by Mr Chapman who added: ‘He compared the public sector to the private sector, but forgot to mention that the public sector has had 10 years of previous pay cuts.

‘He didn't make Britain's billionaires pay, despite their wealth soaring by more than a third over the past year. He didn't tax the financial sector who have caused so much disruption to our country.

‘No - its Britain's public sector workers who, once again, have to pay for a crisis whilst those who can most afford it stand back and applaud.’

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth City Council leader urges chancellor not to impose pay freeze on workers who ‘put their lives on the line’

The decision has also drawn criticism from opposition politicians and education leaders.

However, with the UK’s economy expected to shrink by 11.3 per cent this year the decision has been defended by the region’s Conservative MPs.

Minister of State for Health and Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage said: ‘These are desperate times and the average private sector worker has seen wages drop by one per cent this year while public sector wages increased four per cent.

‘Despite the dire economic situation, I'm glad the majority of public sector workers will receive an increase in their pay, including over one million NHS staff, as well the lowest paid.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as less adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts from £2 a month for the first two months.