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<\/p>\nTop union bosses have slammed a 3.3% increase offered to 1.5 million council workers across Britain as ‘insulting’ – but a pay body says it’s fair to both employees and local authorities<\/p>\n
21:41, 24 Mar 2026Updated 21:42, 24 Mar 2026<\/p>\n
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Millions of council workers are being given a 3.3% pay rise (Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n
A 3.3% pay rise offered to 1.5 million council workers across the UK has been slammed as ‘insulting’ by top union bosses.<\/p>\n
Employers said the offer on behalf of 350 councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would add \u00a3869 million to their payroll – but public sector unions<\/a> say it amounts to a \u201creal terms pay cut\u201c given ongoing cost of living pressures.<\/p>\n James Lewis, who chairs the National Employers pay body for local government <\/a>services, said: \u201cFor the lowest paid (currently earning \u00a324,796 per annum), the offer means their pay will have increased since April 2021 by \u00a37,282 (39.72%).<\/p>\n \u201cThe National Employers are acutely aware of the additional pressure this offer will place on already hard-pressed council finances as it would need to be paid for from existing budgets. However, they believe their offer is fair to employees given the wider economic backdrop.\u201d<\/p>\n Unions argue the pay deal amounts to a ‘real terms pay cut’ (file photo)(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n READ MORE: Ditch broadband hikes as five UK providers freeze prices in 2026 ahead of April deadline<\/a>READ MORE: Cut your council tax bill now ahead of April bill rise as millions missing out<\/a>‘This is a deeply disappointing offer’<\/p>\n But Unison\u2019s head of local government Mike Short said: \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing that the union\u2019s fair and affordable pay claim has not been met. Staff deserve a decent wage rise.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior reps will meet soon to consider next steps.\u201d<\/p>\n Unite national officer Clare Keogh said: \u201cThis is a deeply disappointing offer and is yet another real terms pay cut.<\/p>\n \u201cTo add insult to injury, local authority workers will be angry that the LGA has refused to meaningfully negotiate on all aspects of the workers\u2019 claim.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3_Female-business-colleagues-walking-outdoors-in-front-of-modern-skyscrapers.jpg\")
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