LIB DEM MPs LINE UP AGAINST REGIONAL PAY

Monday, 21 May 2012

Following the cold water poured on proposals for regionally adjusted pay for public sector workers by Nick Clegg, local MP John Pugh has sought to stiffen opposition by co-ordinating Liberal Democrat opposition to the proposals.

The MP is behind a letter sent to the Guardian on behalf of 22 Lib Dem MPs including former party leader Charles Kennedy criticising the idea - http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/may/16/lib-dems-regional-pay

"It is important to note that opposition goes beyond this group as we did not even approach the 25 MPs who have ministerial positions - many of whom are equally uncomfortable with the idea.

"We don't want to drift into a situation where it is assumed that if you live in the north you ought to get paid less. George Osborne has started a consultation on regional pay and Labour who introduced regional pay for the court service and have proposed regional levels of benefits. The case for all this is depressingly weak and likely to exacerbate the north/south divide."