Martin Ford 29 January 2026

£2.8bn wages hike looms amid unions pay demands

Local government’s wage bill would have to surge by £2.8bn to meet the demands laid down in unions’ pay claim for 2026-27, it has been estimated.

The figure represents an increase of almost 11% on current levels were the demands of Unison, GMB and Unite met in full, according to national employers' figures seen by The MJ.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

#Pay #Jobs #HR #Recruitment #Unions #retention

Analysis

Digital Transformation, AI and Local Government: The Case for Workforce Upskilling

The new LocalGov and Multiverse report explores how workforce upskilling is driving smarter, more efficient, and inclusive local government transformation.

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Controlling Talent Retention: The levers every manager can pull

In the first instalment of People & Practice, PPMA President Sandra Farquharson sets out five practical levers every manager can pull to help recruitment.

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Apprentice (HGV Technician)

£15,434 per annum NMW in first year of apprenticeship

Earn. Learn. Qualify. Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham

Recuriter: Durham County Council

Floor Layer

£36,040 p.a. (Made up of £24,027 salary plus £12,013 p.a Interim Operational Allowance)

Durham County Council have an exciting opportunity for the role of a permanent Floor Layer working within Corporate Property and Land, Strategic Facil Durham

Recuriter: Durham County Council

Maintenance Manager

£38,220 - £41,771

Highways Services are looking for a Maintenance Manager. To assist in ensuring the timely completion of works operations so as to achieve the optimum Durham

Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Caretaker

£24,796- £25,185 (Pro Rata)

Temporary Contract for one year. Part-Time, 20 hours per week, Mon – Fri, split shifts Working pattern of daily hours will be negotiated between the H Durham

Recuriter: Durham County Council