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

Senior/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Chief Executive

Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough Council
Competitive Salary
If you share that attitude and have the skills and experience to deliver, you could be our next Chief Executive. London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough Council

Coroner's Officer

Essex County Council
£30404.0000 - £35769.0000 per annum
Coroner's OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£30,404 up to £35,769Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Coroner's Officer

Essex County Council
£30404.0000 - £35769.0000 per annum
Coroner's OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£30,404 up to £35,769 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Armed Forces Commissioner

Ministry of Defence
£170,000 per annum
This is a unique opportunity to serve as the independent champion for Service personnel London (Greater)
Recuriter: Ministry of Defence
Linkedin Banner