Biggest public sector pay rise in decade

A million public sector workers are to benefit from their biggest pay rise for almost a decade after the long-running pay cap was scrapped, as unions and the opposition accused the government of a “PR stunt”. Teachers will be the biggest winners, with up to 3.5% more, while prison officers, members of the armed forces and junior doctors are among those whose pay will also increase. But with no new cash allocated to fund it, union leaders warned it could mean more cuts in jobs and services.