Agreement has been ‘reluctantly’ reached on the 3.3% pay settlement for frontline workers in local government.
The Local Government Association, acting for the National Joint Council for Local Government Services, has confirmed agreement on the 2026 pay award for council staff.
The settlement delivers a 3.3% increase in pay rates and allowances, effective from 1 April 2026 and running until 31 March 2027.
UNISON head of local government Mike Short said ballot results meant the union would not pursue strike action, with members ‘reluctantly’ accepting the offer.
The ballot involved 200,000 staff at around 500 employers, mostly councils and schools.
He added years of below-inflation rises had eroded pay, and UNISON would now focus on securing a stronger deal for 2027.
Further reading:
Stronger local government starts with fair pay
