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.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Business Development Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£42,839 - £47,181 per annum
NYES is a leader in delivering high-quality traded services predominantly into the Education sector. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Support Worker x2

Wakefield Council
Grade 6 SCP 12 £16,617.76 - SCP 18 £18,325.55 pro rata
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Early Years/KS1 Lead and Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£39,556 - £51,048
Temporary Contract until 31st August 2027. Full Time Required to start 1st Septmeber 2026.   Hesleden Primary School is looking for a passionate and m Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Caretaker

Durham County Council
£24,796 (pro rata)
Whole Time- Part Time- 20 hours per week (7
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 (pro rata to part-time working hours)
Whole Time - Part Time 12.5 hours per week (6am – 8.30am Mon – Fri) Required to start as soon as possible.   The Governors wish to appoint a reliable Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner