Council pay rise 2026
Council and school support staff got 3.3% from 1 April 2026. See what was agreed, the new rates and what the rise adds to your take-home pay.
What was agreed
The National Employers offered 3.3% on every point of the NJC pay spine from 1 April 2026, as a one-year deal. The unions had claimed at least £3,000 or 10%. UNISON and GMB members accepted the offer in August 2026, and the NJC signed the agreement on 24 August, with pay backdated to April. Allowances such as the sleep-in payment also went up by 3.3%. Spine point 2 was deleted from 1 April 2026, so SCP 3 is now the lowest point.
What the rise is worth
| Spine point | Before | From April 2026 | Rise a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCP 3 | £24,796 | £25,614 | £818 |
| SCP 7 | £26,403 | £27,274 | £871 |
| SCP 12 | £28,598 | £29,542 | £944 |
| SCP 19 | £32,061 | £33,119 | £1,058 |
| SCP 25 | £36,363 | £37,563 | £1,200 |
| SCP 31 | £41,771 | £43,149 | £1,378 |
| SCP 37 | £48,226 | £49,817 | £1,591 |
| SCP 43 | £54,495 | £56,293 | £1,798 |
Before figures are worked back from the new rates, so they may differ by a pound from your 2025 payslip. Because the deal was agreed five months late, most staff were paid arrears back to April in a lump sum.
Tax on back pay
Arrears are taxed in the month they are paid, as part of that month’s pay. A large lump can push one month into a higher tax band, but over the full tax year it usually evens out. If you think you have paid too much, HMRC adjusts it after the year ends.
Common questions
How much is the council pay rise for 2026?
3.3% on every NJC spine point from 1 April 2026, for staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When will I get my council pay rise?
The deal was agreed in August 2026, so councils and schools paid the new rates from around September or October, with arrears back to April.
Does the pay rise apply to school support staff?
Yes. Teaching assistants and other support staff in schools on the NJC spine get the same 3.3%.