As the NHS is the latest employer to seek a three-year pay deal. James Brockett asks whether the stability promised by long-term agreements offsets their disadvantages
No one can predict where the economy is going over the next three years. But, for public-sector employees at least, it’s increasingly likely that their pay will be predetermined over such a period.

The proposed settlement on NHS pay, accepted by the biggest unions, sets out rises of between 2.25 and 2.75 per cent for the next three years, while a similar deal for teachers caused the National Union of Teachers to strike in April.