Firstly I would like to state that we value and appreciate the important work that public servants do in delivering essential public services.
It is important to remember that public sector pay is on average 3% higher than the private sector and that figure rises to 13% when pensions are taken into account. Additionally, it is independent public sector pay review bodies which submit the proposals for changes in public sector pay. Furthermore there is a trade-off between pay and jobs in many public services, and pay restraint is one of the many difficult choices the Government has had to make to help put the public finances back on track.
We take a balanced approach to public spending, dealing with our debts to keep our economy strong, while also making sure we invest in our public services.
We will continue to ensure that the overall package for public sector workers recognises their vital contribution and ensures that we can deliver world class public services, while also being affordable and fair to taxpayers as a whole.
For 2018/19, the government has decided that more flexibility may be required to deliver world class public services. The detail of 2018/19 pay remits for each Pay Review Body will be agreed as part of the Budget process, more details of which will become clear in due course.