Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his statement on 27 October 2021 Official Report, col 28, that public sector workers will see fair and affordable pay rises across the whole Spending Review period, how his Department defines the term fair.

Spending Review 2021 announced that public sector workers will see pay rises over the next three years as the recovery in the economy and labour market allowed a return to a normal pay setting process.

Pay for most frontline workforces - including nurses, teachers and armed forces - is set through an independent Pay Review Body (PRB) process. They will consider a range of evidence when forming their recommendations, including the need to recruit, retain and motivate suitably able and qualified people; the financial circumstances of government; the government’s policies for improving public services; and the government’s inflation target. They will consider the whole remuneration package of those working in the public sector when forming their recommendations, including substantially more generous pensions.

The Government will carefully consider all recommendations from the Pay Review Bodies once their final reports are submitted.