MPs to debate petitions relating to financial rewards for keyworkers

The debate will be led by Petitions Committee member Tonia Antoniazzi MP. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a Minister to respond. 

Give all keyworkers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis 

The petition, which has more than 146,000 signatures, states: “The government is helping private firms to protect jobs by paying up to 80% of staff wages through this crisis. If it can do this why can it not help keyworkers who will be putting themselves/their families at risk and working extra hard under extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances.” 

In response to the petition, the Government said: “The Government has announced an unprecedented package of measures to support public services and workers through Coronavirus, targeting support where it’s needed most.” 

Give government workers a fair pay rise 

The petition, which has more than 104,000 signatures, states: “During the pandemic government workers have delivered vital public services and kept our country safe and secure. After ten years in which the real value of civil service pay has fallen, many face hardship. The Government must start to restore the real value of their pay with a 10% increase in 2020.” 

In response to the petition, the Government said: “The 2020/21 pay remit guidance allows departments to make pay awards between 1.5 and 2.5%. We believe this achieves a balance of fair pay for civil servants and value for money for taxpayers.” 

What are petitions debates? 

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers. 

Further information 

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee 
• Find out more about select committees 

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