Private Sector pay v Public Sector pay

[Shabby Russian]

Currently private sector pay is increasing by 7.1%, whilst public sector pay is rising by 1.5%.

There are reasons for this. The Govt control public sector pay and are concerned that high pay rises and believe that higher pay increases will stoke inflation.

Private sector employers are prepared to pay higher wage rises, because at a time of full employment, they want to be able to competitively recruit and more importantly retain competent employees.

The problem is that key public sector workers will leave to join the private sector. There is already high levels of dissatisfaction amongst teachers, nurses etc, this current situation will only increase this.

[Protheroe]

More tax or more borrowing then?

[baggy1]

Or just more complaining that public services are appalling and not fit for purpose, whilst at the same time recognising that they can't compete for the best staff therefore propagating the spiral. Years of underfunding and cuts to budgets have got us to this point, we can either just carry on watching the spiral downwards or do something about it.

[Protheroe]

More tax or more borrowing then?

[Borin' Baggie]

Tax - specifically on assets.

[Protheroe]

Tax - specifically on assets.

As long as you put it out there, that's fine. Though it'll be the little people who end up paying again as even those with modest assets ought to have sheltered them as best they can.

Just whinging about public sector pay is for the birds. The money has to come from somewhere.

[Shabby Russian]

More tax or more borrowing then?

The other alternative is poorer public services.

Strange you didn't mention this.

Or maybe not, because all politicians, but particularly among politicians on the right, have given the UK public the idea that you can have European levels of public sector services with US levels of taxation.

In a democracy it is absolutely right that there are people who argue for a low tax, smaller state. But they have to be honest and tell the public that there will be a reduction in the quality of public sector services.

[Ossian]

...all politicians, but particularly among politicians on the right, have given the UK public the idea that you can have European levels of public sector services with US levels of taxation.

Tony Blair, at party conference, 2000: 

"Opportunism always knocks for William Hague. You want tax cuts? Have them. Spending rises? Have them too. It all makes sense after 14 pints..."

It was the beginning of the end for Hague; he never recovered. 

[WorcsWBA]

In a democracy it is absolutely right that there are people who argue for a low tax, smaller state. But they have to be honest and tell the public that there will be a reduction in the quality of public sector services.

Which they've already been reducing for 12 years to the point, for example, that paramedics now have to spend most of their time queuing at hospitals. Those who continue to vote Conservative are mugs that the rest of us have to suffer the consequences of.

[Borin' Baggie]

Tax - specifically on assets.

As long as you put it out there, that's fine. Though it'll be the little people who end up paying again as even those with modest assets ought to have sheltered them as best they can.

Just whinging about public sector pay is for the birds. The money has to come from somewhere.

If you fold CGT into income tax and apply the allowance then the little people will be fine.

You can't get away with not paying doctors, nurses, police officers, firemen, paramedics and teachers a real terms pay cut not paying those in charge of critical state infrastructure below the going rate.