Pay

• Four in 10 council employees report ‘financial worries’

  Almost four in 10 central Government and county council employees have financial worries, a fact that affects their work performance and mental health.

  

• Council chiefs warn of ‘threat’ to music lessons

  Local authority leaders have warned that music lessons will be ‘under threat’ unless the Government covers the cost of a pay rise for music teachers.

  

• Business rate discounts should drive adoption of Living Wage

  A union has called on London boroughs to follow Brent Council by developing a business rate scheme which incentivises employers to pay a living wage.

  

• Council staff urged to reject 3% pay increase in Scotland

  Unison is calling on its local government members to reject the new offer of a 3% pay rise.

  

• Equal pay claims will put 'unprecedented' pressure on council, warns watchdog

  The cost of resolving equal pay claims could put 'unprecedented financial pressure' on council services in Glasgow, the spending watchdog has warned.

  

• Whistleblower loses ‘unfair dismissal’ case against council

  Cheshire East Council has welcomed an employment tribunal decision which found a ‘whistleblower’ was not dismissed unfairly.

  

• Court reverses £400m sleep-in shift ruling

  Council leaders have welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling that social care providers will no longer be required to pay £400m in backpay to carers doing sleep-in shifts.

  

• Council facing £5m equal pay bill

  Fife Council has been warned it could face a £5m bill from a new round of equal pay claims.

  

• Union rejects Scottish councils' pay offer

  Members of the GMB Scotland trade union have rejected the Scottish local government pay offer, potentially sparking industrial action.

  

• Unions submit pay rise claim for youth and community workers

  Unions have submitted a pay claim for youth and community workers they say would narrow a growing gap between falling wages and rising costs caused by austerity.