The NJC pay scales determine the salaries of millions of local government and school staff across the UK. As the 2025/26 financial year approaches, expectations are growing around potential changes to the pay structure, salary bands, and London weighting.
With ongoing economic pressures and union-led negotiations, this review will be a key moment for public sector workers looking for fair and competitive wages.
What Are NJC Pay Scales in 2025/26?
The National Joint Council (NJC) pay scales provide a unified salary structure for local government and school support staff across the UK. These scales determine earnings based on job responsibilities and years of experience.
As the economic landscape shifts, the 2025/26 NJC pay review becomes particularly significant. Public sector employees, especially those working for councils and educational institutions, rely on the NJC agreement to ensure fair compensation aligned with inflation and workload increases.
In 2025/26, changes to the pay scales are anticipated due to the combined pressures of rising living costs, union activism, and government funding constraints. This makes it vital for employees and HR professionals to understand how upcoming negotiations could reshape salary structures and career progression frameworks across local government.
How Does the NJC Pay Spine Work for Local Government Employees?
The NJC pay system is structured around a pay spine made up of Spinal Column Points (SCPs), which represent fixed salary points. An employee’s pay is determined by their assigned SCP, which reflects their role’s complexity, seniority, and responsibilities. Staff usually progress incrementally through the spine each year, subject to satisfactory performance and organisational policies.
Typically, the spine begins with entry-level roles and extends through to senior administrative and specialist positions. Each SCP is assigned a monetary value, reviewed annually through collective bargaining between employers and unions. In London, employees also receive an additional payment known as London weighting, to reflect the city’s higher living costs.
What Changes Are Expected in the NJC Pay Agreement for 2025?
As the 2025/26 financial year approaches, the NJC pay agreement is likely to be influenced by multiple economic and political factors. Unions have indicated a desire for substantial wage increases that go beyond the inflation rate to compensate for what they argue are years of real-term pay cuts. With inflation remaining a concern, local government workers expect meaningful improvements in their earnings.
Initial discussions suggest that the coming agreement may move away from flat-rate increases, such as those seen in previous years, in favour of percentage-based rises across the pay spine. This would help balance the pay progression between lower and higher SCPs, and ensure that staff in all positions benefit proportionately.
The final figures will ultimately depend on negotiations between union representatives and the Local Government Association (LGA), and the level of funding made available by central government.
How Will the NJC Salary Bands Shift in 2025/26?
If trade unions are successful in their pay claims, significant changes to the NJC salary bands could occur. These changes would not only raise base salaries but could also restructure how bands are grouped. The introduction of new SCPs is a possibility, especially if lower band levels are adjusted to remain above the National Minimum Wage.
Over recent years, there has been increasing pressure to ensure fairer pay distribution among local authority workers, particularly in roles that have seen stagnant wage growth.
In 2025/26, this could result in a narrowing of pay gaps between bands and the introduction of more transparent progression paths, particularly for support and administrative staff.
What Is the Role of London Weighting in NJC Pay Scales?
London weighting is a financial supplement added to base salaries for employees working in Greater London. This additional amount recognises the substantially higher cost of living in the capital, including housing, transport, and general expenses. The level of weighting varies depending on the location within London, with inner boroughs typically receiving more than outer boroughs.
As prices in the capital continue to rise, there are calls for London weighting to be reviewed and potentially increased. For 2025/26, stakeholders are examining whether the current supplement adequately reflects the true cost of living in London. Any adjustment to this allowance could make a notable difference to the take-home pay of local authority staff based in the city.
How Do Unions Influence NJC Pay Negotiations?
Trade unions play a central role in shaping NJC pay outcomes. The three main unions UNISON, GMB, and Unite work together to submit a joint annual pay claim on behalf of their members. This claim is then negotiated with the Local Government Association, which represents employers.
The unions collect feedback from their members to understand concerns around pay, workload, and inflation. They also use data and case studies to build a compelling case for pay increases. If negotiations stall, unions have the option to ballot members for industrial action, which can significantly influence the outcome.
In recent years, industrial action has become more frequent, underlining the increasing tension between public sector workers and funding bodies. The 2025 negotiations are expected to be closely watched, with strong union involvement likely.
Will the Green Book See Revisions for 2025 Pay Reviews?
The Green Book, officially known as the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service, underpins the terms for local government staff. It outlines pay arrangements, working hours, leave entitlements, and other employment conditions. While not revised annually, the Green Book is updated when significant changes are made to pay structures or conditions.
In response to expected shifts in pay scales, job grading, and potential changes in working patterns especially post-pandemic hybrid working models there could be supplementary updates to the Green Book in 2025. These may include amended pay tables, new guidance on job evaluation, or clearer rules on progression and promotion pathways.
How Are Spinal Column Points Likely to Change in the New Pay Table?
Spinal Column Points are expected to undergo changes in value and potentially in structure for the 2025/26 period. As minimum wage levels continue to rise, some of the lowest SCPs may need to be removed, merged, or uplifted to stay compliant with legal requirements. At the same time, unions are advocating for increases that reflect the broader cost of living challenges faced by all staff.
It’s anticipated that mid and upper-tier SCPs could see more substantial percentage-based increases, while lower SCPs might receive flat-rate rises to ensure fair wage progression. Once the pay settlement is finalised, a revised NJC pay table will be published, providing clear guidance on SCP values for all local government bodies.
What Are the Forecasts for Public Sector Pay Rises in the UK?
Forecasts for public sector pay rises in 2025/26 vary by industry but indicate an upward trend. While the exact NJC increase has not yet been confirmed, estimates suggest that local government employees could receive a rise in the region of 6 to 8 percent, depending on the outcome of negotiations. This would follow a 7 percent uplift in 2024/25, which was among the highest seen in recent years.
The broader public sector is also likely to see similar increases, with the NHS and teaching professionals expecting settlements of between 4 and 6 percent. These forecasts are shaped by factors such as inflation, government borrowing constraints, and political pressure to close the pay gap between the public and private sectors.
How Can Local Government Employees Stay Informed About NJC Changes?
To keep up with NJC pay scale updates, employees should engage with official union communications and HR bulletins provided by their local authorities. Websites such as UNISON.org.uk, Local.gov.uk, and relevant government portals regularly publish pay claims, response statements, and final agreements.
Union members can also attend meetings and vote in ballots that influence the outcome of negotiations. It’s advisable to subscribe to newsletters or alerts from trusted sources to receive timely information, especially once the new pay tables and Green Book updates are released.
NJC Pay Scale 2024/25 vs Estimated 2025/26
| Spinal Column Point | 2024/25 Salary (Annual) | Estimated 2025/26 Salary | Change (%) |
| SCP 1 | £20,258 | £21,473 | +6% |
| SCP 5 | £23,500 | £24,910 | +6% |
| SCP 10 | £26,845 | £28,455 | +6% |
| SCP 20 | £31,236 | £33,110 | +6% |
| SCP 30 | £38,223 | £40,516 | +6% |
| SCP 40 | £46,464 | £49,252 | +6% |
Conclusion
The NJC pay scales for 2025/26 are poised to reflect the ongoing demands for fairer pay in the public sector. With potential adjustments to the pay spine, new negotiations around London weighting, and updates to the Green Book, local government workers in London and beyond must stay informed and involved.
The role of unions will be pivotal, and the results of these negotiations could set the tone for public sector wages in the years ahead. For now, all eyes remain on the bargaining table as the next round of discussions begin.
FAQs
What is the NJC pay claim for 2025?
Unions are expected to propose a 10% increase across all salary bands to address inflation and restore wage value lost in previous years.
When will the new NJC pay scale be confirmed?
Final decisions are usually announced between May and August, with changes typically backdated to 1 April of the new financial year.
How do spinal column points affect my salary?
Each point corresponds to a specific salary. As staff progress in their roles, they may move up the spine, receiving higher pay.
Is London weighting the same across all boroughs?
No, the amount varies between inner, outer, and fringe boroughs to reflect local living costs.
Who decides the NJC pay increases?
The increases are negotiated between the Local Government Association and recognised trade unions representing local authority workers.
Will the 2025 pay rise be above inflation?
Unions aim for an increase that exceeds inflation, but the final figure will depend on economic conditions and funding from central government.
How to download the NJC pay scale PDF?
Once published, the updated pay scale will be available on official websites like UNISON, Local.gov.uk, and local authority portals.
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