The biggest local government union has branded a delay to talks over their 10% pay claim 'a huge disappointment'.

Unison head of local government Jon Richards questioned why negotiations for a pay package for 1.4 million local authority workers could not start immediately.

This week, the employers' side of the pay body announced it would not respond to the unions' claim until the New Year because of the forthcoming general election.

In a letter to union negotiators the National Employers for Local Government Services said they would 'not be in a position to respond to your claim until the impact of the outcome of the general election is known, which they do not expect until the New Year.'

Three unions, Unison, Unite and the GMB last summer presented the claim which is aimed at being settled by April when the current two-year deal expires.

Yesterday, GMB national secretary Rehana Azam questioned the good faith of the employers' side, saying the negotiations could start despite the election due on December 12.

Today Mr Richards said: 'It is a huge disappointment to be informed by the LGA that it will not respond until the impact of the general election is known.

'We can’t see why the employers won’t at least start the negotiation process now, as discussions will go beyond the election date.'