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New pay and reward principles for public service modernisation

Minister for the Cabinet Office David Miliband MP today announced new principles that will underpin future public service pay and workforce modernisation negotiations.

The principles promote action in a number of areas including investment in skills, equal pay, pension reform, systems of pay incentives and a constructive approach to increased workplace flexibility and adaptability.

They have been agreed by the Government and unions in the Public Services Forum. Building on the recent announcement on the Two Tier workforce, they provide a common framework for future development of pay and reward systems across the public services.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chairman of the Public Service Forum David Miliband MP said:

‘The principles support the drive for pay and workforce modernisation to deliver fairness at work and better, more efficient public services. Higher quality jobs and improved working lives should go hand in hand with greater workforce flexibility to improve citizens’ experience of local services. They will make a real difference on the ground as they help to shape Pay Review Body evidence, pay remits and collective bargaining across the public sector.’

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

‘This is an important development. These are the first set of pay principles developed for the public sector as a whole. They are a further practical result from the establishment of the Public Service Forum by the Government in 2003’.

Notes to editors

1. The principles are available online at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/opsr/news/2005/reward_principles.asp http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/opsr/news/2005/reward_principles.asp [Edit revision – Link changed 26/04/2006] [Archive content]
2. The Public Service Forum was set up following a meeting between the Prime Minister and Trade Union leaders in September 2003. Its aim is to improve the dialogue between government, public service employers and trade unions on taking forward the public service and workforce reform agenda. It is made up of representatives from the Government, public service employers and the TUC (including all key public service unions).

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