General Election 2015 - Lib Dems Promise Public Sector Pay Rises

The transcript discusses the impact of public sector pay freezes over the past five years, which reduced the national wage bill by £12 billion. Nick Clegg proposes a plan to increase public sector pay in line with inflation, aiming to balance the books without further pay cuts. Despite public sector protests and political skepticism, Clegg insists his plan is genuine and affordable, funded by taxes on the wealthy. The proposal includes modest pay increases for nurses and police officers, but raises concerns about financial sustainability. The Liberal Democrats face challenges in implementing these promises, given their past coalition legacy.

What was the financial impact of public sector pay freezes over the last five years?

• Increased the national wage bill by £12 billion

• Reduced the national wage bill by £12 billion

• Had no impact on the national wage bill

• Doubled the national wage bill

What does Nick Clegg propose as a solution for public sector workers?

• Increasing pay in line with inflation

• Cutting public sector jobs

• Further pay reductions

• Maintaining the current pay levels

Why are some skeptical of Nick Clegg's proposal?

• It lacks a genuine commitment to addressing pay issues

• It focuses only on private sector workers

• It has already been implemented successfully

• It promises too much financial gain

What is the predicted pay increase for a nurse earning £25,000 over two years?

• £200

• £350

• £420

• £500

What is a potential downside of implementing Clegg's pay proposal too quickly?

• It would have no financial impact

• It could abandon a key mechanism for controlling spending

• It might destabilize the economy

• It could lead to increased unemployment