The government has revealed that many part-time public sector workers earning less than £21,000 a year will have their pay frozen for two years.

Ministers had previously indicated workers earning less than £21,000 would get a salary increase of £250 as part of efforts to protect the low paid.

Ministers have said a pay freeze will prevent more jobs from being lost.

But unions have said public sector workers are paying the price for a financial crisis not of their making.

In last month's Budget, Chancellor George Osborne said he would protect the lowest paid by exempting public servants who earned less than £21,000 from a two-year pay freeze.

But the government confirmed on Tuesday that part-time workers on less than £21,000 a year would also have their pay frozen if the equivalent full-time salary for their job exceeds the £21,000 limit.

It's not a pay freeze, it's a pay cut when you take inflation into account. Cameron admitted as much on the telly a few weeks ago when challenged about it by a studio audience member.

Remember - he took a pay cut of 5%. I'd like to know how that inconveniences him. I bet it has a minor impact on his personal wealth.

It's not a pay freeze, it's a pay cut when you take inflation into account. Cameron admitted as much on the telly a few weeks ago when challenged about it by a studio audience member.

Remember - he took a pay cut of 5%. I'd like to know how that inconveniences him. I bet it has a minor impact on his personal wealth.