A pay offer that equates to a 10.5% increase for the lowest-paid workers is to be implemented.

Unison and GMB have agreed to accept the offer, which is the highest in more than a decade.

The deal, which will be backdated to April, will mean hundreds of thousands staff will be paid an extra £1,925 this year.

Unison's national secretary for local government, Mike Short, said: 'Unison members voted clearly to accept this pay offer and it will come as a welcome relief to many of our members – particularly those who are lower-paid – that it has been agreed before the holiday period.

'We know there is much more to do as this pay settlement is still below inflation and we will be looking to submit a pay claim for 2023 as soon as practically possible so the employers have no excuse for delaying making an offer next year.'

A spokesperson for the employers said: 'Councils will be working hard to get the pay increase and back pay into employees' salaries in time for Christmas.'

Unite rejected the pay offer but it can be implemented as long as it is backed by a majority of the three main unions.