It has been announced that nearly 900,000 public sector workers are set to receive a pay rise as recognition for their “vital contribution” during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Government ministers have confirmed that the Armed Forces, teachers, Police Officers, the National Crime Agency, Prison Officers, doctors and dentists, the Judiciary, senior civil servants and senior military personnel, are among those that will receive a rise.
Teachers and doctors will see the largest rise in pay, at 3.1% and 2.8%, respectively.
This year’s pay awards are said to reflect the enormous effort made by those in the public sector in responding to the unprecedented challenges for the country during the COVID-19 outbreak.
HM Treasury said the money for the pay increases of up to 3.1% would come from existing departmental budgets.
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Not all settlements are set to be UK-wide.
Teachers in England, and dentists and doctors across the UK, will see the largest increases at 3.1% and 2.8% respectively.
Police, prison officers and National Crime Agency staff in England and Wales will be given a 2.5% rise in pay, while members of the armed forces across the UK will get 2%.
Members of the judiciary and senior civil servants across the UK will also see their pay topped up by 2%.
A full break-down of the agreed awards are as follows:
Nurses are not included as this announcement follows the settlement for more than one million NHS workers who continue to benefit from the three-year Agenda For Change pay deal agreed in 2018.
Under this deal, the starting pay for a newly-qualified nurse has increased by over 12% since 2017/18.
Speaking on the confirmation of the public sector pay rise, Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “These past months have underlined what we always knew – that our public sector workers make a vital contribution to our country and that we can rely on them when we need them.”
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“It’s right therefore that we follow the recommendations of the independent pay bodies with this set of real-terms pay rises.”
According to the official statement released via the gov.uk website, each award is recommended by independent pay review bodies, and the government has accepted the “headline recommended rise” for each workforce this year.
For more information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do refer to official sources via gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
21st July 2020 
