“Instead of fixing our broken pay system, the DWP offers crumbs and calls it progress.”
From the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
With the DWP daring to suggest that staff should use a voucher scheme to cope with high costs, thousands of you are telling us you’ve voted yes in our ballot for fair pay.
PCS has had a resounding response from members in the industrial ballot so far. With over two weeks to go until the ballot closes (23 February), thousands of you have already told us you’ve voted yes.
If you haven’t received a ballot paper in the post, you have until 10am on Friday 6 February to request a replacement through PCS Digital.
Last week, Sir Peter Schofield, permanent secretary for the DWP, admitted that the DWP had failed to support staff by not even bothering to ask if they could increase the wage bill.
In comments that angered DWP members, he also suggested to MPs that staff impacted by chronic low pay could use a staff voucher scheme to cope with rising food prices.
As many of you pointed out, this discount scheme only gives members a minuscule percentage off food orders, and the vouchers must be paid for in advance.
“It’s like buying a gift card with a slight discount,” noted DWP member Marie. “It doesn’t pay bills, pay for school meals, or cover petrol!”
Many members are really struggling to make ends meet while working full-time for the DWP. They want decent pay from their employer – not charitable contributions.
Heidi, an EO work coach in the DWP who has given 40 years of service to the department, told us that she has had to “take a weekend job to be able to pay my bills and heat my house”.
DWP members are not asking for handouts. You are simply demanding that your employer pays staff a decent, livable wage that acknowledges the essential work that you do.
“Instead of fixing our broken pay system, the DWP offers crumbs and calls it progress,” said Angela Grant, national president of the DWP group. “They brag about paying for your lunch break and offer vouchers to help you survive the cost-of-living crisis.”
PCS members in the DWP do vital work supporting the most vulnerable people in the country.
Although they’re proud to serve the public, Angela added, “services will suffer and so will we without proper investment in staff”.
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- This was originally published on the PCS website on 3 February 2026.
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