Liz Truss drops lower pay plan for public sector workers outside London in screaming U-turn

The Conservative frontrunner dropped the proposals in the face of a backlash, with critics warning it could impoverish nurses, teachers and other public sector workers.

Video loading

Video not available

Click to playTap to play

Liz Truss discusses regional compensation committee policy

Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss has dropped pay cut plans for public sector staff outside London in a strident U-turn.

The frontrunner dropped the controversial proposals in the face of a backlash, with critics warning it could impoverish nurses, teachers and other public sector workers.

As part of a 'war on waste' in Whitehall, Ms Truss had suggested paying workers less if they live in parts of the country where the cost of living is lower, meaning that people outside London and the South East would earn less.

The Truss campaign said the idea of ​​regionally tailoring wages would initially apply to the civil service, but could be extended to public sector workers over time.

In the fine print of its press release - which the Truss team later accused reporters of misrepresenting - it said the idea could save an estimated £8.8 billion if adopted for all long-term public sector workers.

One expert has called it a 'war on Workington' rather than Whitehall, as the total civil service wage bill is £9billion, meaning the estimated economy of £8, £8 billion is expected to include staff like nurses and teachers.

Ms Truss dismissed the flagship policy just hours after it was announced, after critics accused her of 'dumbing down'.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was forced to turn around screaming (

Picture:

REUTERS)

Speaking on a campaign visit to Dorset, she said: 'I fear my policy on this has been misrepresented.

"It was never my intention to change the terms and conditions for teachers and nurses.

"But what I want to be clear is that I will not be going ahead with regional compensation commissions. That is no longer my policy."

Asked if this was an error in judgement, she said: "I'm being absolutely honest, I'm concerned that people will - unnecessarily - worry about my policies and therefore I clarifies that the regional salary councils will not go ahead."

Earlier, his spokesperson said, "Over the past few hours, there has been a deliberate misrepresentation of our campaign.

“Current levels of public sector compensation will be absolutely ma...