Unions call for exceptional single pay settlement for civil servants

Prospect and the FDA have jointly called on the government to agree a simple, fair pay settlement for all civil servants in 2020, as the civil service continues to respond to the public health emergency.

In a letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman and Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy wrote: “As you have recognised publicly, the civil service is performing extraordinary feats to respond to the new priorities from the pandemic, whilst at the same time maintaining vital public services and transforming their ways of working almost overnight.”

The unions argue that an exceptional pay agreement for 2020 would avoid more than 200 sets of potentially protracted pay negotiations, freeing up vital resources at a time of national emergency and sending “the strongest possible signal to civil servants that the Government values their contribution.”

Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy added:

“This is a time for a common sense approach to pay that reflects the leadership from the civil service in this crisis and which allows them to keep that focus as they plan the transition to a new normal.”

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman added:

“In these extraordinary times, the last the thing the civil service needs is a business as usual pay round. The response of the service to this unprecedented challenge has been remarkable and it is right that ministers send a clear signal that they recognise that.”

The call comes as the Scottish Government has announced a 3% pay rise for all Scottish Government civil servants from 1 April, alongside other public sector staff in Scotland.