CUMNOCK MSP Jeane Freeman is supporting the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap the public sector pay cap.

The SNP MSP is also calling on the UK government to follow suit.

Ms Freeman said: “The SNP Scottish Government has listened to independent pay recommendations - showing the many nurses, doctors and police officers and public sector workers in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley that their incredible service is valued and that they deserve pay that reflects that and helps them meet the growing financial challenges of rising costs.

“Showing public sector workers here how much we value their work and service is even more important as we face the endless Brexit uncertainty that is driving inflation, forcing up living costs and intensifying recruitment problems- risking a Brexit brain drain.

“And with some public sector workers in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley still subject to UK wide pay policies - the Tories must act and act now to confirm that the pay cap will be scrapped.

“The clear message coming from Scotland to the Tory government is to end austerity, and end it now.”

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay told the Scottish Parliament last week that “time was up” for the annual one per cent limit on public sector pay.

The Scottish Government is now engaging with trade unions ahead of the next Scottish budget to discuss a future public sector pay policy that recognises both rising living costs and the need for sustainable public finances in order to ensure fairer pay for all public sector workers in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.