Civil Service (Wages and Salaries)

HC Deb 03 February 1982 vol 17 cc143-4W

Mr. Hordern

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the cost of wages and salaries in the Civil Service in each of the last five years, distinguishing between increases paid by annual increments and those paid through negotiated settlements.

Mr. Hayhoe

The provision made in the Supply Estimates for the pay cost of staff of central Government Departments in each year since 1977–78 is as follows:

	£million
1977–78	3,065
1978–79	3,266

	£million
1979–80	3,744
1980–81	4,627
1981–82	5,002

The changes from one year to the next include changes in pay rates, grade structure, overtime working, employers' national insurance contributions and staff numbers. The net cost of increments over the period is very small. Generally, when numbers are increasing the incremental system decreases the average wage bill, but when numbers are falling the average wage bill increases—for instance, by about 0.5 per cent. in 1980–81. Precise figures could not be provided without disproportionate cost.