Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/541/6253
From The Socialist newspaper, 9 July 2008
Government lies on public-sector pay
PROOF THAT the government is holding down public sector wage settlements below the rate of inflation - ie pay cuts - is provided by a report from the Incomes Data Services.
Their report shows that average public sector wage rises during the three months to the end of May this year were running at a mere 2.7% (compared to 3.8% in the private sector), while the current retail prices index (RPI) is 4.3%.
This latest data ties in with a survey by the Industrial Relations Service (reported in The Socialist last week), covering the same period, that shows only 9% of pay deals were for settlements above the RPI.
This means that a whopping 91% of workers were effectively receiving pay cuts.
These reports nail the government's lie that public sector pay rises are fuelling inflation.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 9 July 2008:
Campaign for a New Workers Party
The working class needs its own party
CNWP conference: Wanted - a new mass workers' party
Socialist Party news and analysis
UK economy sliding into recession
Rich get richer: Why should we pay the price!
MP backs student fees campaign
Bonuses for chiefs, pay restraint for civil service workers
Government lies on public-sector pay
G8 leaders' 'world hunger' banquet
On the other side of the financial divide...
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Property deals threaten private nursing homes
Marxist analysis: history
Terry Fields: A socialist voice that rocked Whitehall
Socialist Party LGBT
Marching against homophobia & racism
Socialist Party workplace news
Argos warehouse workers vote to strike
National Shop Stewards Network Conference: Organising migrant workers
A day in the life of a call centre worker
Call centre charter: A framework for workers' rights
RMT conference discusses crisis of political representation
Shop Workers' Union Usdaw
Socialist stands for Usdaw general secretary
Home | The Socialist 9 July 2008 | Join the Socialist Party
2020