Have seen media reports about potential plans to help the financial recovery post #COVID19. Part of these reports include the possible freezing pay for the public sector. Although these are only media reports I want to make it absolutely clear what my views are.

The last recession we went through saw public sector workers subject to a pay freeze and then a pay cap for a number of years, this saw my colleagues see a real terms 18% pay cut. This had a crippling effect on many public sector workers

In this current global crisis which has affected so many people, it has been colleagues from the public sector who have stepped up to save lives, protect the public and keep the country moving. Often putting themselves at risk and making personal sacrifices.

Police officers, Doctors, Nurses, paramedics, prison officers, teachers, firefighters and many, many more have been the glue which has held us together in this crisis. If there is any consideration in financially punishing our public sector workers then I urge a rethink.

The Chancellor, @RishiSunak and thousands of others have clapped for our key workers every Thursday. To even consider freezing the pay of our essential public sector workers to help the financial recovery would be morally bankrupt and would be a deep and damaging betrayal.