Emergency services cuts make us less safe — let’s get rid of the pay cap, says Corbyn

Labour will table an amendment to the Queen’s Speech to demand an end to the 1% public sector pay cap.

The amendment, which will be voted on today, is described by the party as a “test case” for this parliament’s approach to austerity.

Jeremy Corbyn said “You can’t have safety and security on the cheap”, and that emergency services “deserve” a pay rise given their hard work, particularly in the face of recent events in Britain.

“It is plain to see that seven years of cuts to our emergency services have made us less safe; it’s time to make a change,” he added.

“Our emergency service workers make us proud at the worst of times for our country, such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the recent terrorist attacks, and deserve the pay rise they have been denied for seven years.”

“Conservative cuts have failed. Labour has a different approach, which values those who look after us and will transform Britain for the many, not the few.”