Laura Sharman 22 September 2016

FOI: 1,172 council staff suspended on full pay

More than 1,000 council staff have been suspended from work in the last three years at a cost of £7.3m, a new investigation has revealed.

A freedom of information request, by ITV programme Suspended: Britain's Pay Scandal? found more than 5,000 public sector staff have been suspended on full pay between between 2013-14 and 2015-16.

This includes 1,172 council staff, in addition to police and NHS workers.

The investigation found the suspensions included staff being drunk at work, alleged drug use, inappropriate relationship and sleeping on duty.

The programme will air tonight ITV, 7.30pm.

#Council staff

Analysis

Digital Transformation, AI and Local Government: The Case for Workforce Upskilling

The new LocalGov and Multiverse report explores how workforce upskilling is driving smarter, more efficient, and inclusive local government transformation.

Opinion

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.

Most Popular News

Fresh asylum homelessness spike warning

Liverpool City Region launches first anti-racism strategy

Staffordshire County Council moves to dismantle EDI programmes

Suffolk CC to push on with LGR legal challenge

Government publishes social cohesion action plan

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Cornwall’s Coastal Heritage Lighting Upgraded with Acrospire Lanterns

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Company Anouncements

Acrospire promotes LED retrofit for structurally viable lighting assets

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Senior Practitioner - Children in Care - North Essex

£48205.0000 - £57988.0000 per annum

Senior Practitioner - Children in Care - North EssexPermanent, Full Time£48,205 to £57,988 Per AnnumLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Coroners Coordinator

£25959.0000 - £26632.0000 per annum

Coroners CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£25,959 to £26,632 per annum Location

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Discharge to Assess

£38487 - £51834 per annum

Interviews will be held in person at Rowan House, Colchester in late July 2026.This advert is open to Experienced Qualified Social Worker's About Our England, Essex, Colchester

Recuriter: Essex County Council