Benchmarking as a system is a better way to determine public service pay. We could not have continued with the old system. Through this mechanism we have moved the settlement of pay to a new plane. To have continued with the old system would have led to more disruption of service, continued leapfrogging of claims and settlements that were sometimes irrational. To do nothing was not an option. This new system will give benefits not only because of the improvements brought about by the fulfilment of the conditions attaching to payments but also because of the long term impact of breaking cross-sectoral relativities.