We consulted members working in councils and schools in England, Cymru and Northern Ireland about the latest pay offer. The online consultation closed on 20 June 2025. Whilst members voted to reject the offer, the turnout was not high enough to conduct a ballot for industrial action.
UNISON’s committee of leading activists have reached an agreement alongside the other NJC trade unions to accept the Employers’ offer of 3.2% (with backpay to 1 April).
We are aiming that the uplift is paid as soon as possible, as well as developing a timely pay claim for 2026.
Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, often for little to no recognition.
Without dedicated staff, local government will collapse. And without fair pay, councils will continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff. Since 2010, council and school staff have suffered a 25% real terms pay cut.
UNISON, alongside other unions asked local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a pay increase of £3,000. Following receipt of the employers’ offer of a 3.2% increase, UNISON consulted members on the offer in June 2025.
Pay calculator
You can find out what the offer means for you using our pay calculator below.
Local government urgently needs far greater funding from central Government
The clock is ticking. Every day that passes without substantive action, councils creep closer toward effective bankruptcy, putting the most vulnerable in our society at even more acute risk.
Research shows that if the Government were to fully fund the unions’ pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped through increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits and tax credits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.
Contact your elected representatives to ask them to support a fair pay rise and an increase in council funding from central government
Your MP can raise the issue directly with the Treasury and request a debate in Parliament.
Share our interactive map, showing the scale of cuts to local services across England, Wales and Scotland. Use this tool to email your MP, asking them to support the urgent funding injection that councils so desperately need.
Council and School Pay
Join our campaign to improve council and school pay. Join UNISON now.
Join UNISON
Click here for Welsh translation / Cliciwch yma am y cyfiethiad cymraeg os gwellwch yn dda
Latest update on pay
We consulted members working in councils and schools in England, Cymru and Northern Ireland about the latest pay offer. The online consultation closed on 20 June 2025. Whilst members voted to reject the offer, the turnout was not high enough to conduct a ballot for industrial action.
UNISON’s committee of leading activists have reached an agreement alongside the other NJC trade unions to accept the Employers’ offer of 3.2% (with backpay to 1 April).
We are aiming that the uplift is paid as soon as possible, as well as developing a timely pay claim for 2026.
Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, often for little to no recognition.
Without dedicated staff, local government will collapse. And without fair pay, councils will continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff. Since 2010, council and school staff have suffered a 25% real terms pay cut.
UNISON, alongside other unions asked local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a pay increase of £3,000. Following receipt of the employers’ offer of a 3.2% increase, UNISON consulted members on the offer in June 2025.
Pay calculator
You can find out what the offer means for you using our pay calculator below.
Pay calculator
Local government urgently needs far greater funding from central Government
The clock is ticking. Every day that passes without substantive action, councils creep closer toward effective bankruptcy, putting the most vulnerable in our society at even more acute risk.
Research shows that if the Government were to fully fund the unions’ pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped through increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits and tax credits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.
Contact your elected representatives to ask them to support a fair pay rise and an increase in council funding from central government
Your MP can raise the issue directly with the Treasury and request a debate in Parliament.
Email your MP
Your councillor can raise this issue directly with local government employers.
Email your councillor
Spread the word – download the campaign graphics:
Campaign graphics
Get involved:
If your colleagues aren’t members of UNISON already, encourage them to join!
Join UNISON
Share our interactive map, showing the scale of cuts to local services across England, Wales and Scotland. Use this tool to email your MP, asking them to support the urgent funding injection that councils so desperately need.
Council cuts map
Want to get more involved in this campaign? Contact your branch and ask about becoming a pay campaign contact where you work.
Find your branch
Follow us on social media for the latest updates: