Local government has accepted a 2.75% pay increase, it has been confirmed, despite objections from Unite.

Under the agreement, staff with less than five years’ service will also see their holiday rise from 21 days a year to 22. The pay deal has also been accepted on behalf of local government chief executives and chief officers.

Unison staff in the local government sector voted two to one (66%) in favour of the 2020/21 pay award, which will apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It comes after 76% of GMB members accepted the offer – while 70% of unite members rejected it.

The union’s national joint council committee said the offer - which amounts to £1.83 a day - ‘fell far short’ of the 10% claim and ‘did not properly reward key workers for their exceptional contributions throughout the pandemic’.

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