OUR attitude towards public sector workers has been turned around during the coronavirus crisis, a study claims.

Appreciation in Brighton and Hove for NHS, care workers, council, and emergency services has gone up by 95 per cent.

The study by public sector membership club Boundless now hopes to build on the bond, with a public service day to thank workers.

It has been backed by Brighton MPs Caroline Lucas and Lloyd Russell-Moyle and will take place tomorrow.

Darren Milton at Boundless, which is based in Station Road, Brighton, said: “This year Public Service Day falls on Tuesday 23 June and it’s a wonderful opportunity for people in Brighton & Hove to remind their public service workers that we won’t forget what they have done for us. Not least during the last few months.

“The figures coming back from our survey are hugely encouraging because they show that millions of people have been saying ‘thank you,’ and doing so far more often than a year ago.

“The response in Brighton has been particularly special because nowhere in England has thanked public sector workers more often than here.

“But we don’t want that to stop when pandemic is over. The next step is to back Public Service Day and to think about ways that we can value our public sector workers long into the future.”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, stated: “On this year’s Public Service day it feels more important than ever to recognise the work of the millions of dedicated people who work in our health and care sectors, as well as teachers and other public sector workers right across the UK.

“Over the last 12 weeks we have all seen key workers putting duty and compassion above their own safety and making tremendous sacrifices to protect each other and particularly our most vulnerable citizens. While ‘thank you’ will never be enough, we should continue to celebrate them as often as possible - as well as ensuring their pay and conditions reflect the enormous contribution they make.”

Lloyd Russell Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, added: “Covid has revealed to us all how much we rely on Public Sector workers and we should all show them the appreciation they deserve. On the 23rd of June please thank your public sector workers.

“If you are a public sector worker, I want to say a huge thank you to you, but you deserve more than a thank you, you deserve a pay rise. So, join your trade union and fight with your colleagues for what you rightly deserve.”