Civil service deals differ

Two recent pay agreements covered by the government’s public sector pay freeze policy have produced significantly different results.

Long-term pay deals in place when the two-year pay freeze started were allowed to run their course. As a result, the Forestry Commission freeze period began in October this year. Pay band increases of £300 for staff on pay steps worth less than £21,000 mean the rate for the lowest band went up by 2.08%. But there was no pay progression, no “top-up” lump sums for those on their maximum and no changes to overtime rates, allowances or leave.

It was a different story at the Ministry of Justice, also just starting its pay freeze. Staff on the lowest two pay bands progressed in steps to the next defined points in the salary structure, meaning they received increases greater than the £250 minimum required by government policy.

Staff in the next two bands earning less than £21,000 received a consolidated increase of £250, while those paid between £21,000 and £21,250 also received extra money to prevent them being “leapfrogged” by less senior staff.