A 3.2 per cent pay increase for school support staff across the UK has been formally agreed, bringing months of negotiations to a close. While welcomed by some, union leaders have made it clear that the settlement falls short of what’s needed to address the long-term challenges in the sector.
Pay Rise Confirmed Following Union Split
A letter sent to council employees today confirmed the deal, which applies to council and school support staff governed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC). The rise comes despite initial opposition from all three major support staff unions, Unison, GMB and Unite, who had jointly recommended members reject the offer earlier this year.
Following ballots and internal discussions, Unison and GMB have now agreed to the pay deal, allowing it to move forward. Unite's position remains unclear, with the union yet to formally respond.
Union Reaction: “Not to Be Sniffed At – But Not Enough”
Mike Short, Unison’s head of local government, struck a cautious tone in his response:
“The priority is now to get the money into everyone’s wage packets as soon as possible. Although a 3.2 per cent rise for this year is not to be sniffed at, workers will be disappointed. Far more will be required in future to ensure local government salaries don’t fall further behind other parts of the economy.”
Short highlighted concerns that insufficient pay progression could deepen recruitment and retention crises across schools and local authorities.
GMB’s national officer, Kevin Brandstatter, said the union agreed to settle the deal to protect members, especially those on Universal Credit, from facing financial uncertainty:
“The employers refused to meet and negotiate and were adamant there was no extra money. GMB reluctantly agreed to settle to avoid delays, which could have meant sanctions on members reliant on Universal Credit.”
The Road to the Agreement
Earlier this year, national employers offered a 3.2 per cent pay increase across all NJC pay points. Unite members voted to reject the offer with an 84 per cent majority, and 77 per cent of GMB members followed suit.
The three unions had originally called for a flat rate pay rise of £3,000, a minimum hourly wage of £15, an additional day of leave, two fewer working hours per week, and permission for school support staff to take at least one day of leave during term time.
Last year’s settlement saw a £1,290 increase backdated to April 1, but union leaders have consistently voiced concerns that incremental pay rises are failing to keep up with inflation and sector expectations.
Systemic Change Needed
The pay and conditions of school support staff are determined through the NJC, a body made up of representatives from both employers and trade unions. An agreement requires a majority from both sides.
A spokesperson for the National Employers welcomed the deal, calling it a “well-deserved pay increase.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has pledged to re-establish the School Support Staff Negotiating Body to create a standalone framework for support staff pay. However, it is not expected to produce any formal recommendations until 2027-28.
Though the current agreement provides short-term certainty for thousands of school and council workers, union leaders are already warning that the next round of pay talks must be more ambitious. With ongoing inflation and high vacancy rates across education and local government, the spotlight will remain fixed on how the sector rewards and retains its essential support staff.