Mr (The Lord
Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (David
Gauke)): I am today announcing pay rises for
Prison Officers.
The Prison Service Pay Review Body has made its recommendation
for the 2018-19 pay award and we are accepting the spirit of
their recommendation.
Today’s pay award is worth 2.75% for all Prison Officers, of
which 2% is consolidated and 0.75% in non-consolidated. Some
staff on modernised Fair and Sustainable contracts will also
receive performance related progression pay. The pay award is
worth on average £1,220 for staff on Fair and Sustainable
contracts.
The Government is committed to world class public services and
ensuring that public sector workers are fairly paid for the
vitally important work that they do. It is thanks to our balanced
approach to public finances – getting debt falling as a share of
our economy, while investing in our vital services and keeping
taxes low - that we are today able to announce a fair and
deserved pay rise for prison officers.
We ended the 1% average pay policy in September 2017, because we
recognised more flexibility is now required to deliver world
class public services including in return for improvements to
public sector productivity.
We value the role of the independent Pay Review Bodies and thank
them for their work in considering pay awards. In reaching a
final position for 2018/19 public sector pay awards, we have
balanced a need to recognise the value and dedication of our
hard-working public servants whilst ensuring that our public
services remain affordable in the long term, to contribute to our
objective of reducing public sector debt. We have also sought to
ensure that pay awards are fair and consistent across public
sector workforces, reflect existing pay and benefit packages, in
addition to recruitment and retention levels.
It is vital that we consider all pay awards in light of wider
pressures on public spending. Public sector pay needs to be fair
both for public sector workers and the taxpayer. Around a quarter
of all public spending is spent on pay and we need to ensure that
our public services remain affordable for the future.
It is also vital that our world class public services continue
modernising to meet rising demand for the incredible services
they provide, which improve our lives and keep us safe.
The report has been laid before Parliament today (Tuesday 24
July). I am grateful to the Chair and members of the PRB for
their report.
