Government departments have recommended a pay rise of 2.8% for millions of public sector workers including teachers, NHS staff and senior civil servants next year.
Inflation – which measures price changes over time – is predicted to average 2.6% next year by the government’s official forecaster.
But union Unison said the figure was “barely above the cost of living”, while teaching unions said it would only deepen the “crisis” in recruitment and retention.
The recommendations will now be considered by independent pay review bodies.