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So today I found out my pay was going to be frozen for a year, possibly 2 or 3 and I must admit from a completely selfish Point of view I'm a little disappointed but I think it is completely justified. Thread #publicsectorpayfreeze #SpendingReview2020 1/9
I received an annual pay increase this year during the middle of the pandemic and I must admit I was a little embarrassed to be getting an increase when I knew so many were struggling with being on furlough and the economic uncertainty that is still to come. 2/9
Yes I worked through the pandemic but I work in public service so it is kind of my duty/role to do what's asked of me in times of crisis, its where my money is earnt. I did this all on full pay by the way and as previously stated it increased this year. 3/9
I think what's missing from this debate is learning from the mistakes of the past and how failure to act immediately post 2008 caused bigger hardship and austerity later on. Gordon brown froze public sector pay in march 2010 so this isn't just a tory thing. 4/9
Now had he of done that straight after the crisis say end of 2008 then maybe the severity of the cuts not only to pay but to jobs may have been avoided. Yes some of this is hindsight but you have to learn from what comes before you and if as suggested today this temporary.... 5/9
freeze means in 2 - 3 years time no one loses a job within the public sector then surely it would be justified. It will also contribute to paying off some of the debt and the almost impossible task of balancing the books. 6/9
Finally I make one last point, I completely disagree with the argument that it leads to lower consumer confidence for those who aren't getting a pay rise, I have never budgeted for something based on what I thought I might get as an inflationary increase the following year. 7/9
There are 2 reasons for this 1, after how each of the past 10 years have differed regarding pay increases that task would be nearly impossible. 2, I'm not going to stop doing something like going to the pub or out for dinner cos my earnings will be the same as they are now. 8/9
So I support the decision and I hope the economy opens up as soon as possible so the country can all get back to work. So both public & private sector pay can go up together as it was pre covid. U need a strong private sector 2 pay for the public one! #publicsectorpayfreeze 9/9
