He said: “There is a glaring contrast between MPs who have just awarded themselves 1.5%, and the harsh treatment meted out to the government’s own staff.

“Prospect members will draw their own conclusions at the fairness of a policy which rewards the politicians while cutting the real pay of their staff.”

Noon attacked the decision for failing to honour the third year of a three-year pay deal agreed for the senior civil service. He warned it was increasingly difficult to recruit high quality professionals to lead public services “when they can earn twice as much in the private sector.”