The Liberal Democrat leader called for an end to real-terms cuts to their pay, arguing that it is time for public sector employees to share the benefits of economic recovery.
The party would issue guidance to pay review bodies to ensure public sector salaries rise at least by inflation in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and above inflation after those years.
That would mean a minimum rise of £350 over the next two years for a nurse paid £25,000, £420 for a police officer paid £30,000 and £490 for a teacher paid £35,000.
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Mr Clegg said: “Workers across the public sector have made enough sacrifices. You have done your bit to help get the country back on track. That’s why the Liberal Democrats believe it is time to end the era of pay restraint.”
Holding public sector salaries below inflation has saved about £12bn and ministers have warned the trend needs to continue until 2018 to help reduce the budget deficit.
Labour’s manifesto calls for staff on low incomes to be “prioritised” and for the pay review body recommendations to be respected rather than “brushed aside”. But it makes no explicit commitment to raise public sector pay by more than inflation.
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Lib Dem sources argued that their policy commitment was evidence of the party’s balanced approach to the economy.
They claimed the Tories’ plans for “ideological” cuts to spending and Labour’s inability to tackle the deficit meant both parties would have to make real-terms cuts to public sector pay.
Mr Clegg said: “Under our plans, we will give all public sector workers – from teachers and nurses to social workers and police officers – pay rises that at least keep pace with the cost of living every year.
“No more pay freezes or below inflation pay rises. We can do this because with the Liberal Democrats, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“For two years pay in the public sector will, at the very least, keep pace with prices. After that, we will make sure it rises above inflation – giving millions of workers a real terms pay rise for the first time in years.
“If you are a public sector worker worried Tory cuts threaten your job, or Labour’s refusal to deal with the deficit means another year of pay cuts, then only a vote for the Lib Dems will guarantee you a fair pay deal.”
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