Civil Service Reform

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Michael Fallon

Tuesday 19th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con)]

Is it fair that businesses outside London and the south-east must compete for staff against public offices whose pay and conditions are set nationally? If local pay works so well and flexibly for the Courts Service, why would we be squeamish about extending it?

[Mr Maude]

At the risk of my hon. Friend’s eyebrows going into overdrive, may I say that no final decisions have been made? He makes the argument. We have invited the pay review bodies to look at that proposal but no decision will be made until the evidence has been properly examined and the existence or otherwise of a strong rationale has been established.