PUBLIC sector chiefs in Oxfordshire will see pay and bonuses curbed if the Liberal Democrats gain power in next month’s General Election.

That was the message from high-profile Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes when he visited Oxford yesterday.

Speaking on a walkabout in Cowley Road, Mr Hughes said the party would protect frontline public services – but added public sector chiefs on the largest salaries could expect an end to high pay rises and big bonuses.

He said: “We have said very clearly savings are not going to be in public services. They will be in big cost items such as Trident and the Eurofighter.”

Asked if the thousands of NHS and local authority jobs in East Oxford were safe under Liberal Democrat plans, he said: “Nobody can give a guarantee unconditionally, for ever, but we have no plan to cut back the public sector.”

But he added: “We have been really clear. People at the top end in the public sector have done very well and we have not looked after the more low-paid workers.

“There will be no big bonuses, no big rises for people at the top end.”

The party’s manifesto also commits to a £400 pay rise cap for all public sector workers for at least two years.

Mr Hughes, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for energy and climate change, said he was in favour of furthering the city’s low emission zone.

He said that, if elected, the Liberal Democrats’ Oxford East candidate, Steve Goddard, would work with Oxford’s local authorities to produce a traffic plan for the city to encourage greater use of public transport.

Asked about introducing a congestion charge in Oxford, he said it was not a matter for national government and added: “You need public support for it.”

Mr Hughes, campaigning with Mr Goddard in Cowley Road, said Oxford East was one of the Liberal Democrats’ “top 10” target seats on May 6.

Andy Komas, who owns Spire Furniture in Cowley Road, spoke to Mr Hughes about the pressure on small businesses.

He said:”We talked about the business aspect.

“The rates here are astronomical and it is all independent businesses.

“The tax burden on small business is unbelievable. We’ve been here nine years and it’s the toughest.”

He added: “He was saying tax should be based on takings. I am a floating voter and I was impressed by what he said.”

But 19-year-old Derrick Titley, from Headington, was less impressed.

He said: He was talking about education and what I am doing. I have never voted before. He didn’t say anything that would make me want to vote.”