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£2.8bn wages hike looms amid unions pay demands

Local government’s wage bill would have to surge by £2.8bn to meet the demands laid down in unions’ pay claim for 2026-27, it has been estimated.

Unite strike (c) Unite

The figure represents an increase of almost 11% on current levels were the demands of Unison, GMB and Unite met in full, according to national employers' figures seen by The MJ.

In a joint submission, the three unions have called for an increase of at least £3,000 or 10% for each worker – whichever is higher – plus a minimum hourly rate of £15, a two-hour reduction in the working week and one extra day's annual leave.

Martin Ford

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