Public sector workers deserve pay rise now - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has repeated his call for public sector workers to be given a pay rise, following years of a pay cap that has hit salaries as increases in inflation have left behind increases in pay.

A Downing Street spokesperson has suggested that the public sector pay cap of 1% is under review because the general election showed people are "weary" after years of a cap. The source suggested that the 1% cap, in place since 2013, could be changed in the Budget in the autumn.

The Lib Dem manifesto called for an end to years of pay restraint for nurses, teachers and police in Cumbria by lifting the 1% cap on public sector pay and increasing wages in line with inflation.

Tim said: "The government are now in full retreat on public sector pay. Backbench Tory MPs have clearly had enough of having to defend the indefensible when nurses come to their surgeries saying they need to go to food banks to survive.

"During the election Liberal Democrats, Labour and the SNP joined with the unions to call for a pay increase for public sector workers.

"The government refused to listen and said there was no magic money tree. Now that tree has appeared in Belfast and the Tories seem to be shaking it down for every last penny.

"Nurses, teachers, and our emergency services are on the front line every single day but have had thousands of pounds pinched from their pay packets already. They did not create the financial crash but have had to pay the highest price for it. Theresa May should end the cap on public sector pay now."