Pay Remit is a welcome acknowledgement of cost of living pressures

Today, the government published the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance. Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:

“Like other workers civil servants face a cost-of-living crisis due to persistent inflationary pressures, this pay remit is a welcome acknowledgement that the world has changed since the spending review last year and marks significant progress from the pay freeze imposed by the last government. 

“It is disappointing that this pay remit does not contain any provisions on pay progression for delegated grades, which we have long argued is an essential step in ensuring all civil servants are properly rewarded for the skills and experience the develop in their roles.

“It is welcome that the government have recognised the particular pressures faced in specialist roles, and have allowed more flexibility to offer higher pay awards to these vital workers. However it is clear that this flexibility, operating in overall budgetary constraints will not be enough to address the chronic challenges identified by multiple independent reviews, and it must be only the start of a sustained effort to improve pay for specialists so that government can recruit and retain the talent it needs.”