Dan Peters 26 February 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Pay spine review kicks off

EXCLUSIVE: Pay spine review kicks off image
© Yau Ming Low / Shutterstock.com.

Work has started on a review of the national pay scale used to determine salaries for most council employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, The MJ has learnt.

The unions' pay claim for 2026-27 submitted last year had warned the lower end of the National Joint Council pay spine was ‘now alarmingly close to the statutory National Minimum Wage and falls below the real Living Wage, which is independently calculated based on what people need to live'. It added this was ‘undermining the ability of councils to recruit and retain staff'.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

Half a century in the chamber image

Half a century in the chamber

Cllr Dr James Walsh was elected to Arun District Council in 1975. Here he tells LocalGov what he's learned about trust, transformation and keeping it local.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Adults Commissioning and Provider Services

Trafford Council
£100,731 - £104,625
To help us realise this vision, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Adults Commissioning and Provider Services Trafford, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Trafford Council

Targeted Youth Adviser

Essex County Council
£29512.00 - £34720.00 per annum
Targeted Youth AdviserPermanent, Full Time£29,512 to £34,720 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full-time Administration Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to join the team who support o Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Roofer

Durham County Council
£36,040 p.a. (Made up of £24,027 salary plus £12,013 p.a Interim Operational Allowance)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Classroom Teacher (static)

Durham County Council
£32,916 - £51,048
Required from 1 September 2026. Permanent, full time. This post is based at Croft Community School which is a generic special school for pupils who h Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner