IT IS wrong to cap the pay of our teachers, nurses and council workers at only 1 per cent a year. But decent pay rises for public sector workers have to be paid for from somewhere. On that point I agree with Chancellor Philip Hammond.
If Theresa May does not provide more cash for our schools, the health service and local councils, higher pay can only be paid for by yet more cuts. There is no point paying some teachers much-needed increases by sacking other teachers and increasing class sizes.
The Conservatives could raise taxes on ordinary people or turn to Mrs May’s ’money tree’ of more borrowing. More likely they will say the unfair 1 per cent cap is lifted, but you can’t have any more money. That’s the worst of all worlds.
A Labour Government would increase taxes but only on those earning over £80,000 a year and on large companies by raising corporation tax. That is the proper way to fund fair pay in our schools, hospitals and local councils.
Cllr JOHN TANNER
(Labour) Littlemore ward City Council Board Member for a Clean and Green Oxford
Sunningwell Road, Oxford
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