PUBLIC-sector workers are being forced into debt and go without meals and heating because of the Government’s one per cent cap on pay, according to new research.

A study by Unison showed that staff working in public services are having to cope with increases in household bills while seeing their wages held down because of Government policy.

A survey of almost 11,000 workers – including paramedics, teaching assistants, hospital porters and police staff – showed many were struggling through to the next pay day and were thinking of quitting for better-paid jobs.

More than two in five described their standard of living as worse than a year ago and a quarter said they owed more money.

The increased cost of everyday items meant one in ten was going without a regular daily meal and 17 per cent said they did not keep their home warm so they could balance their household budgets.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Nurses, social workers, school meals staff and other public service employees have endured seven long years of wage freezes and caps on their pay.

“The Government has inflicted untold damage on the lives of hard-working people and their families, who are weary from the struggle of having to make ends meet every month.

“Ministers have been quick to praise the tireless dedication of people including paramedics and nurses yet insist there’s not enough money in the pot to give everyone a decent pay rise.

“The pay cap must end, not this autumn or next year, but now.

“The Government cannot pick and choose who should benefit. Everyone working in the NHS, schools and higher education, local government and the police service is long overdue a rise.”

Public-sector pay will be one of the main issues for debate at the TUC congress, which opened in Brighton on Sunday.

Meanwhile the Government has been accused of a “criminal” lack of preparation for Brexit amid increasing calls for workers’ rights to be protected as the UK leaves the EU.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the clock was ticking towards a “kamikaze” Brexit, with no proper assessment yet carried out about the impact on industries.

Speaking on the opening day of the TUC Congress at the Brighton Centre, she said the Government had no action plan to protect jobs and employment rights.

She said: “It’s galling to see a Government that promised to protect workers’ rights put forward a Bill on EU withdrawal that’s full of loopholes on workers’ rights.”