Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what (a) reasons and (b) duration pay increases for staff at Highways England are at one per cent.

For many employees in grades below the senior group the 2018-19 pay review was based on a 1% increase. The actual increase for each individual was then determined by the application of a performance multiplier, informed by annual performance reviews, which resulted in a range of awards from 0.75% to 2%. These awards were made in line with the Department for Transport’s Remuneration Framework for Highways England. Highways England also made pay awards to Traffic Officers (3%) and Regional Control Centre operators (9.8%) to address market pay issues. Overall, the average pay award made by Highways England for all grades below the senior group was an increase of over 4.5%.

Highways England determines the annual pay review each year based on factors including affordability within its budget.