Poll: Regional public sector pay differentiation unfair and will harm economy

Green Politics

A new poll has revealed public opposition to plans for public sector pay differentiation, believing them to be both unfair and harmful to regional economies.

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A new poll today reveals public opposition to the government’s plans for public sector pay differentiation, believing them to be both unfair and harmful to regional economies.

As Chart 1 shows, 56 per cent of those polled think proposals to freeze the pay of public sector workers outside London and the South East are unfair, against just 26% thinking them fair, with 15% don’t knows – while 45% say plans to cut real terms public sector wages will harm regional economies outside London and the South East, with only 17% saying they will help, 22% saying neither and 17% unsure.

Chart 1:

Regional-public-sector-pay-freeze-Progressive-Polling-Survation-opinion-poll
The poll (pdf) by Survation for Progressive Polling also found:

• Women were most opposed to the regional pay freeze with only 23% seeing it was fair compared to 33% of men;

• While opposition was strongest among Labour and Lib Dem voters, only 1 in 2 people (50%) who voted Conservative at the last general election thought it fair;

• Only 39% of Conservatives, 17% of Lib Dems and 8% of current Labour voters believe the policy to cut real terms public sector wages will help boost job growth in the regions.

 

See also:

• The 12 practical problems of localising public sector pay 25 Jan 2012

• RGF’s foot-dragging and half-measures leave regional economies in the cold 3 Nov 2011

• Huge demand for Regional Growth Fund shows desperate need for business credit 3 Aug 2011

• “Perverse” cuts to regional funding will set back growth 2 Feb 2011

• Cable’s folly conceals 80 per cent funding cut to regions 28 Oct 2010

 

One week on from the budget the poll findings show there is little enthusiasm for public sector pay differentiation even amongst Conservatives – never mind the voters the Tories need to win to secure a majority. In the week the OECD forecast a double dip for the UK, we need all regional economies to grow, we need policies that will help not harm the recovery.

 

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47 Responses to “Poll: Regional public sector pay differentiation unfair and will harm economy”

  1. Phillip Tilley

    Only 28% of voters think regional pay is fair and just 17% think it would help regional economies. http://t.co/VWKaD7A3

  2. Sam hussain

    Only 28% of voters think regional pay is fair and just 17% think it would help regional economies. http://t.co/VWKaD7A3

  3. Rep in the Regions

    Only 28% of voters think regional pay is fair and just 17% think it would help regional economies. http://t.co/VWKaD7A3

  4. mark wright

    RT @payfairnow: Only 28% of voters think regional pay is fair and just 17% think it would help regional economies. http://t.co/vwMGsXdq

  5. Staffordshire UNISON

    Only 28% of voters think regional pay is fair and just 17% think it would help regional economies. http://t.co/VWKaD7A3

Comments are closed.