CALLS to end the one per cent public sector pay cap were backed by councillors.

The Liberal Democrats gained support from the Labour majority on Bury Council to ask the Chancellor Philip Hammond and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid for an end to the cap and funding for pay rises.

The motion was passed at the Bury Council meeting last week and Cllr Tim Pickston, Liberal Democrat group leader criticised the Chancellor's budget for failing to provide for public sector workers.

Cllr Pickstone said: "What we should have seen in the budget was Mr Hammond give a clear message this is time for change and to find the money for this.

"But, we didn't see that. There was no money for public sector pay rises and £3 billion for Brexit."

Cllr Pickstone added: "Since 2010 most public sector staff have seen their pay rise by just 4.4 per cent. At the same time prices have risen by 22 per cent — a massive pay cut in real terms.

"Prices continue to go up and we cannot keep making public sector staff suffer what is effectively a pay cut every year. Staff in the NHS, the Police, Fire, local councils and civil service undertake important jobs and need to be paid fairly.

"The Government says it is allowing flexibility for more pay rises, but without funding the rise this is an empty promise.

"Without the Government taking action pay rises would just mean schools, hospitals or councils would have to make further cuts and lose further staff if a higher pay rise was agreed."

In the meeting Cllr Pickstone also noted the importance of securing a pay rise for all public sector workers, including teaching assistants and refuse collectors.

A sentiment echoed by Council leader Cllr Rishi Shori.

Conservative leader Cllr James Daly supported giving workers as much money as possible saying: "A sensible way of doing this is by tax cuts. The personal allowance is far too low. If we cut taxes more money is created and it supports the economy, everyone in this country is taxed too highly."

Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted for the motion and the Conservative group abstained.