In the news

It's a bugger, I reckon.

What would the effect be of giving (say) every "key worker" an additional 10K on their salary, and taking away all perks such as subsidised housing/travel?

Would a keyworker be better off?

I imagine that the policy is to keep pay as low as possible whilst providing other benefits (which would be taxable, to a normal employee I believe?) in order to keep the pensions in check as they are final salary pensions?

Therefore, if the pensions were turned into that which the private sector can expect, i.e. not final salary linked, the motivation to keep a lid on wages for the majority of public sector workers, whilst spending money on then enabling them to be able to afford housing, would wane?

All supposition based on ignorance, mind.