FREE RESOURCESLatest on Pay: 2022 - 2023 Pay Negotiations
Below you will find the latest updates regarding the 2022 – 2023 pay negotiations.
For details of earlier pay negotiations and to access the various pay and conditions documents please refer to the ‘Other Pay Resources’ section at the bottom of this page.
South East Pay Briefing, June 2022 – slides (SEE member orgs only)
NJC for Local Government Services
2 December 2022
NJC Circular: HM The King’s Coronation / updated Green Book Part 4.12
The NJC circular below sets out guidance relating to the additional bank holiday on 8 May 2023.
Attached to the same circular is updated Green Book Part 4.12 guidance that reflects the additional day of annual leave awarded to all NJC employees (with effect from 1 April 2023) as part of the 2022 NJC pay agreement.
1 November 2022
Agreement has been reached on the pay award for local government services (‘Green Book’) employees. The pay circular has been issued.
As it did last year, Unite has declined to have its details included in the circular because its members voted by 78 per cent to 22 per cent to reject the employers’ offer. This is disappointing but does not prevent a collective agreement from being reached and implemented by employers as a majority on the Trade Union Side was in favour of reaching agreement. Unite has announced its intention to launch local campaigns to secure pay increases and improved T&Cs.
There are some potential impacts of the pay deal on pension contribution rates. The advice remains unchanged from last year and is as follows:
SCPs 42 and 43 have jumped from 6.8% to 8.5% in the contribution bands – the bands were set in 2014 and increase each year in line with CPI. In 2014, the increase from 6.5% to 8.5% was set to coincide with the threshold for receiving 40% tax relief. As the pension contribution bands and the tax thresholds have increased at different rates, this is no longer the case. We are pushing DLUHC to move the contribution bands from the LGPS Regulations into guidance so they can be more easily adapted to changes in tax relief etc.
Some employees have been retrospectively moved into a higher contribution band because of the pay arrears – this is an employer discretion. The LGPS regulations say the employer must reassess the appropriate contribution band for each employee each April, in the pay period in which 1 April falls. So the appropriate contribution rate would have been assessed for each employee on 1 April 2022 on earnings without the pay increase. The regulations also provide that the employer may choose to review the appropriate band and rate when there is a material change in pay and this can be implemented retrospectively. This can apply where pay increases, due to a backdated pay award. Alternatively, the employer can decide to only apply the new rate from the date the pay award or re-grading is actioned on the payroll. Assuming no unforeseen changes from Government, the appropriate bands from April 2023 will increase by 10.1 per cent (note that the result is rounded down to the nearest £100 with £1 then added). This means that the band in question would increase from £48,501 to £53,301. Depending on a pay award that may be agreed from April 23, some members could end up moving back to paying 6.8 per cent next year.
25 October 2022
Unite has announced the results of its pay consultation. Its members have voted to reject the employers’ final offer by 78% to 22%.
GMB has announced the results of its pay consutlation. Its members have voted to agree the employers’ final offer by 67% to 33%.
The three unions are due to meet on 1 November 2022 to discuss the results of their respective consultations and decide whether to formally accept the employers’ offer. We await the outcome of this meeting.
12 October 2022
As advised previously, Unite’s consultation on the National Employers’ final pay offer closes on Friday 14 October and GMB’s consultation closes on Friday 21 October. UNISON has already accepted the pay offer. In order for a formal collective agreement to be achieved, GMB and / or Unite must also vote to accept.
The full Trade Union Side will be meeting on Tuesday 1 November to discuss the results of their respective consultations and to decide whether to formally accept the employers’ offer. Therefore, if a pay deal is agreed, the NJC pay circular will not be issued before 1 November, even if before that date it has been announced that GMB’s and / or Unite’s members have voted in favour of accepting the employers’ offer.
Councils should not implement the employers’ pay offer until the NJC pay circular, which constitutes a formal collective agreement, has been issued.
27 September 2022
On a turnout reported to be 34%, UNISON’s members have voted by 63.5% to 36.5% to accept the National Employers’ final pay offer for local government services (‘Green Book’) employees.
In order for the pay deal to be finalised so that it can be implemented and paid to employees, GMB and / or Unite must also vote to accept the employers’ offer.
Unite’s membership consultation to close on 14 Oct and GMB’s to close on 21 Oct.
04 August 2022
UNISON’s NJC Committee have agreed to consult its members on the National Employers’ final pay offer.
The Committee decided to remain neutral on the question of whether to recommend that the offer be accepted or rejected. Instead, the consultation will outline what UNISON considers to be the pros and cons of the offer.
UNISON aims to start its consultation during the week of 15 August, with a closing date of 19 September.
As previously advised, GMB’s NJC committee is meeting next Wed 3 Aug.
Unite rejected the employers’ offer yesterday, without consulting its membership.
26 July 2022
The National Employers for local government services have made a final pay offer to the unions representing NJC ‘Green Book’ employees. This pay update circular sets out the details.
6 June 2022
The three NJC unions (UNICSON, GMB and Unite) have submitted their pay claim for local government services (Green Book) employees for 2022. The claim seeks “a substantial increase with a minimum of £2,000 or the current rate of RPI – whichever is greater – on all spinal column points. In addition, a COVID-19 recognition payment; a national minimum agreement on homeworking policies for all councils and the introduction of a homeworking allowance; an urgent review of all mileage rates currently applying; a review and update of NJC terms for family leave and pay; a review of term time only contracts and consideration of retainers; reduction in the working week (without loss of pay) to 35 hours (34 in London) plus one additional day of annual leave.
SEE is hosting the South East Regional Briefing session on Tuesday, 21 June 2022. Please book your space via our events page.
19 May 2022
National Employers circular for local government services regarding the 2022 National Pay Negotiations.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) bulletin 225 – May 2022
Our monthly bulletin informs employers and administering authorities about current issues affecting the LGPS. Bulletin 225 includes information about a recent ill health complaint that was upheld by the Pensions Ombudsman. It also sets out our current training offer.
JNC for Chief Executives
28 November 2022
Agreement has been reached on the pay award for local authority Chief Executives. The below circular sets out the details.
JNC Circular – Chief Executives’ pay agreement 2022
25 October 2022
The National Employers have responded to ALACE’s revised pay claim by reaffirming the final offer they made on 25 July 2022.
20 October 2022
ALACE has lodged a revised pay claim that seeks, “a minimum percentage increase pitched at 3.5% or 4.0%…in order to retain at least some comparability with other groups in the public sector”.
National Employers are considering the request and will respond in due course.
26 July 2022
The National Employers have made final offers to the Staff Sides representing local authority Chief Executives and Chief Officers, as set out in the below letters.
Employers to CO TUs pay offer 25 July 2022
Employers to ALACE pay offer 25 July 2022
8 June 2022
The LGA have received a pay claim in respect of local authority Chief Executives which seeks, “…a pay increase for all chief executives in April 2022 and subsequent years that is the same as the generality of local government staff. We are proposing that this should be delivered through implementing a direct and immutable link for increases for April 2022 onwards, to ensure that chief executives would receive the same increase as the generality of staff covered by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services. We suggest that the link should be with the increase for spinal column points 25 to 43 of the NJC, recognising that increases for lower pay points may continue to run higher because of the impact of the national living wage”
SEE is hosting the South East Regional Briefing session on Tuesday, 21 June 2022. Please book your space via our events page.
JNC for Chief Officers
1 November 2022
Agreement has been reached on the pay award for local authority Chief Officers. The pay circular has been issued.
26 July 2022
The National Employers have made final offers to the Staff Sides representing local authority Chief Executives and Chief Officers, as set out in the below letters.
Employers to CO TUs pay offer 25 July 2022
Employers to ALACE pay offer 25 July 2022
6 June 2022
The Staff Side representing local authority Chief Officers has tabled a pay claim for, “A substantial increase in rates of pay and all relevant allowances; taking into account private sector comparator pay rates and the cost of living crisis (as reflected in current 12-month inflation of 11.1 per cent)”.
SEE is hosting the South East Regional Briefing session on Tuesday, 21 June 2022. Please book your space via our events page.
Teachers - STPCD
14 October 2022
The STPCD was laid before Parliament yesterday and commences the 21 day praying period today, concluding on 4 November 2022. It is highly unlikely that any changes will be made during this period but it gives MP’s an opportunity to raise any objections to the pay order.
The STPCD is legally enforceable from 14 October 2022 and employers can start implementing the document from this date.
12 October 2022
The LGA has issued its School Teachers’ Pay Circular 2022.
30 September 2022
Having gathered evidence and views from local authorities to inform the national employer’s position, National Employers Organisation for School Teachers, has now submitted its response to the Government’s consultation on the 32nd STRB report and draft STPCD 2022.
For ease – Headlines on teachers pay 2022
The Government has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body’s (STRB’s) recommendations in full for 2022.
Headlines include a five per cent increase on all pay and allowance ranges and advisory points, with higher increases for Early Career Teachers on the Main Pay Range, as a step towards achieving a minimum starting salary of £30,000 by September 2023. Full details are set out in the STRB’s 32nd report and the draft STPCD 2022.
As a result of stakeholder evidence, NEOST asks that the Government provide additional financial support so that all schools including smaller rural schools can implement the pay award with particular regards to avoiding reductions that risk impacting on teaching standards.
16 September 2022
The draft STPCD 2022 has been amended to take account of HM Queen Elizabeth II funeral bank holiday (Monday 19 September 2022).
27 July 2022
The LGA, on behalf of NEOST, has launched the consultation on teachers pay for 2022. The survey seeks the considered opinions of local authorities to the Government’s response to the STRB 32nd report, the draft STPCD and the draft Pay Order.
The conslutation closes at 12pm on Monday 5 September 2022. The LGA recognises that the time period is over the schools summer break but the timescales are outside of their control. Only one response should be submitted per local authority.
20 July 2022
The Government’s response details the acceptance of the STRB recommendations on teachers pay for 2022 as set out in the STRB’s 32nd Report. 5% increased for most teachers and all leaders, with bigger increases for early career teachers (max 8.9% outside of London). DfE have advised us that the 2022 pay proposals are estimated to have on average a 5.4% increase to a schools pay bill for teachers’.
21 December 2021
The School Teachers Review Body (STRB) has published its remit for 2022.
Teachers’ pensions bulletin (TPS) 80 – April 2022
Bulletin 80 reports on the Government’s response to the TPS consultation to implement the first phase of the McCloud remedy. There is important guidance for scheme administrators about the End of Year process and a reminder about changes to the TPS from 1 April 2022.
Teachers in Residential Establishments
16 December 2022
The JNC for Teachers in Residential Establishments have issued the Joint Education Services Circular (JSEC) No 226 setting out the pay and conditions for teachers covered by the JNCTRE agreements which is aligned to those for mainstream school teachers as set out in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document.
NJC for TRE Pay and Allowances 2022
JNC for Craft Workers
10 November 2022
Agreement has today been reached on the pay award for local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees. The below circular sets out the details.
Craftworkers’ Pay Agreement 2022
Despite this, Unite and GMB have announced their intention to target councils where ‘Red Book’ employees are well organised, in order to actively pursue local disputes that will focus on achieving improved terms and conditions for their Craftworker members.
Local authority Chief Executives
As advised previously, the National Employers’ final offer to local authority Chief Executives has not been accepted by ALACE, so should not be implemented. This is because of legal issues arising out of the cases of Kostal UK Limited v Dunkley and INEOS Infrastructure Grangemouth Limited v Jones. A meeting between lead members of the National Employers and ALACE has been scheduled for Friday 18 November.
From the LGA
25 October 2022
Unite and GMB have advised that their members have voted to reject the employers final offer. We await news of next steps.
18 August 2022
Agreement has (finally) been reached on the pay award for local authority Craftworkers, covering the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. The following circular sets out the details: Craft Pay Award 2021-22
The National Employers have made a full and final offer to the unions representing local authority Craftwokers for 2022/23. The unions will now consult their membership on whether to accept or reject this offer.
26 July 2022
The National Employers have informed the unions representing local authority Craftworker (‘Red Book’) employees that they are not prepared to respond to their 2022 pay claim until the employers’ final offer for 2021 (covering the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022), which they made to the unions on 27 July last year, has been accepted.
25 July 2022
Click here to view the pay agreement for youth and community workers for 2021.
The LGA have subsequently received a a pay and conditions claim (click to view) from the JNC Staff Side Trade Unions for 2022. We will shortly be undertaking a consultation of local authorities on this which you will receive details of in due course.
13 July 2022
The LGA received a pay claim in respect of local authority Craftworkers. The claim seeks:
- An increase of RPI + 2 per cent on all pay elements
- An annual retention payment
- Reduction in working hours to a 35-hour week, with no loss of earnings
- Minimum standby payment across all councils
- One additional annual leave day for all operatives, plus one further day on all other holiday rates that depend on service
- 100 per cent increase on Tool Allowance
- Increase in Tool Insurance
- Compulsory CSCS Training for all Red Book Operatives
- Maintain and improve Red Book Terms and Conditions
- Payment for charging Phones, Laptops, Power Tools, Cars
6 June 2022
As the national Employers’ full and final pay offer to JNC Craftworkers (Red Book) employees (covering the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) has yet to be accepted by the two JNC unions, Unite and GMB, it remains unclear as to whether they will lodge a separate claim for 2022.
Soulbury Committee
19 December 2022
The Officers’ Side has rejected the National Employers’ pay offer of a £1925 increase on all pay points and a 4.04% increase on allowances. The National Employers will be meeting early in the New Year to decide next steps.
19 October 2022
Formal offers have been made to the Soulbury Officers’ Side: Soulbury Pay – Response to the Officers Side’s Pay and Conditions Claim 2022
The Unions are consulting on these offers and there will be meetings of both the Soulbury Committee and JNC Youth and Community Workers next week.
12 August 2022
Youth & Community Pay and Conditions Claim 2022
We have received a pay and conditions claim for this year from the Staff Side Trade Unions – Pay Claim 2022 – final
The LGA are undertaking a consultation of local authorities and to receive a better response, please complete. the survey here –https://forms.office.com/r/AbG43tvY4K
The closing date is no later than 16 September 2022.
JNC for Youth and Community Workers
21 December 2022
With regard to the Youth and Community pay award for 2022, a JESC was issued on 22 December 2022.
19 December 2022
The Staff Side has agreed to the National Employers’ pay offer of a £1925 increase on all pay points and a 4.04% increase on allowances. A JESC will be circulated next week to confirm this.
19 October 2022
Formal offers have been made to the Youth and Community Staff Side: Youth and Community Pay – Response to the Staff Side’s Pay and Conditions Claim 2022
The Unions are consulting on these offers and there will be meetings of both the Soulbury Committee and JNC Youth and Community Workers next week.
Youth and Community Workers pay agreement
NJC No.225 – Pay agreement 2021
25 July 2022
The JNC Youth and Community Workers has finally reached a pay agreement for the 2021 pay round which was for a 1.75 per cent pay increase. The Staff Side (of the JNC Youth and Community Workers) has now submitted its pay and conditions claim for 2022. The headline element is for a 10 per cent or RPI plus 2 per cent pay increase (whichever is greater). The National Employers will shortly undertake a consultation on the claim. From the LGA
Fire & Rescue Services
Fire and rescue service pay offer
The National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services covers uniformed employees ranging from firefighters to middle managers across the UK. The employers have responded to the pay claim for 2022/23, offering a two per cent increase on basic pay and continual professional development payments effective from 1 July 2022.
Fire and rescue service pay offer – 27 June
The National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services covers uniformed employees ranging from firefighters to middle managers across the UK. The employers have responded to the pay claim for 2022/23, offering a two per cent increase on basic pay and continual professional development payments effective from 1 July 2022 (from the LGA).
Firefighters pensions bulletin (FPS) 57 – May 2022
FPS Bulletin 57 – May 2022: this month’s issue contains information on a variety of topical issues including the application of the ill health ‘underpin’, informal guidance on abatement, and annual benefit statement production for 2022.
Coroners
19 December 2022
- A Joint Negotiating Committee circular has been released the pay negotiations for coroners’ pay.
- In paragraph 8 of the circular, the LGA are asking you for information on the position within your authority on coroners’ pay for 2022/23.
- Your response will be immensely helpful. please send information by end 3rd January 2023 to coroners.queries@local.gov.uk
18 August 2022
The LGA together with the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Coroners are conducting research into coroners’ pay as well as the position of the Coroner Service within local government. The workforce data contact for your council will have received an email invitation to take part in a survey, the closing date is 9 September.
From the LGA
Police Staff
No updates at this time.
Police Staff Council circulars can be found on the Police Staff Council page on the LGA website.
Other pay resources
SEE member organisations can find more information about different aspects of pay.
- Subsistence Allowances
- Pay and Conditions Documents – including the Green book
- 2021 – 22 Pay negotiations
- 2020 – 21 Pay negotiations