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

School Crossing Patrol Officer

Essex County Council
Up to £13.4600 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer Chelmsford, Essex Part-Time, Temporary 7.5 hours per week, term-time only Up to 6 Months £13.46 PAYE / £17.24 Umbrella England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Various Teams)

Essex County Council
£38487 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall on 8th June 2026.We're an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403-£28,598 (pro rata)
Administrative Officer Permanent, Full Time, Term Time Only Required to start September 1st 2026   The Headteacher and Governors of this Outstanding M Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Assistant Psychologist

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
This is a 2-year post within the Educational Psychology Service which is part of the SEND and Inclusion Service for Durham’s Children and Young People Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Structures Assistant Engineer

Durham County Council
£35,142 - £39,152
Highways Services re looking for a Structures Assistant Engineer to join their Highway Team.    WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for providin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner