Just a question to the statisticians amongst us. How many pay rises have Mp's paid themselves since Thatcher got into power? What percentage increase does that represent on salary since that date? By what percentage have public sector workers wages(an average will do) risen in the same period of time?

When you answer,comparative salaries would be better. Please remember that 20% of £100 is £20.00, but 20% of £1000 is £200. The truth is that percentage pay rises and unfair, since 100% of very little is still only very litle, 5% of a lot, is a lot!

They deserve a proper, decent pay rise-modernisation/reform is another set of terms for cutting jobs, increasing hours. We surely are returning to the old Britain with our emplyment legislation, working conditions and practices rather than moving forward.

If we do, who can blame workers for returning to the days of strikes?

What else is there left when negotiation fails?

The hypocrasy of government is unbelievable.