Public sector wages increased by up to 20%
There is dismay in the private sector today with news that the public sector wage bill has seen a massive rise over the last 12 months. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that senior council workers have seen their salaries increase by up to 20% over the last 12 months while public service administrative professionals have seen their income increased by just over 10%. This comes at a time when private sector businesses are under pressure, taxpayers are struggling to cover their own budgets and the unemployment figure is about to breach the 2.5 million level.
Despite promises from the UK government with regards to price freezes across the public sector, it seems as though this particular initiative has yet to have any impact on annual salaries. While the press comment would appear to suggest that next year will see high earning public sector workers enduring a pay freeze, it looks as though those towards the lower rung of the income ladder will still enjoy above-average increases in their take-home pay.
The government is under pressure from the unions to "look after" those on lower incomes while looking to cut the income of those on large packages.
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