Clegg offers to end public sector freeze

PUBLIC SECTOR workers will today be promised pay rises that match increases in the cost of living by the Liberal Democrats.
Nick Clegg will promise rises in public sector pay today. He was on the campaign trail in Cornwall yesterday.Nick Clegg will promise rises in public sector pay today. He was on the campaign trail in Cornwall yesterday.
Nick Clegg will promise rises in public sector pay today. He was on the campaign trail in Cornwall yesterday.

Nick Clegg will say that workers in the public sector have done enough to help balance the country’s books.

The Coalition has imposed a one per cent limit on pay rises until next year as part of efforts to control the deficit in public spending.

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The Lib Dems will say public sector rises should be allowed to rise in line with inflation in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years and increase above the cost of living in the following years.

On current estimates, that would equate to increases of £350 for a nurse earning £25,000 over the first two years.

Mr Clegg said :“Workers across the public sector have made enough sacrifices. You have done your bit to help get the country back on track.

“That’s why the Liberal Democrats believe it is time to end the era of pay restraint.

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“Under our plans, we will give all public sector workers – from teachers and nurses to social workers and police officers – pay rises that at least keep pace with the cost of living every year.”

The Lib Dem leader will claim his party are the only ones capable of delivering such a promise because of its commitment to tackle the deficit “fairly”.

According to Lib Dem figures, limiting public sector pay in the last Parliament contributed more than £12 billion to cutting the deficit.