The GMB National Government Sector has announced a £1500 payment for all civil servants. This one-time payment is part of ongoing negotiations to address the cost of living crisis.

Payment Details

• Flat-rate payment of £1500 (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Will be paid through July payroll
• Subject to normal tax and NI deductions
• Available to all staff in post on 1 June 2023

GMB Statement

"This payment is a significant step in recognizing the financial pressures our members face. While it doesn't solve the long-term pay issues, it provides immediate relief during this cost of living crisis."

The GMB has outlined its key objectives for the 2023/24 pay negotiations, focusing on inflation-linked increases, protecting terms and conditions, and addressing pay disparities.

Key Objectives

• A pay increase that at least matches inflation (currently 8.7%)
• Protection of existing terms and conditions
• A substantial increase to London weighting allowances
• Accelerated pay progression for all staff
• A living wage of at least £12 per hour for the lowest paid

Negotiation Strategy

• Formal pay negotiations with all government departments
• Evidence-based submissions to the Pay Review Body
• Industrial action ballots where necessary
• Public campaigning to highlight the value of civil servants

The Government has announced the 2023/24 civil service pay remit guidance, setting out the parameters for pay increases across government departments.

Key Points

• Average pay award of 4.5%
• Flexibility to go up to 5.5% for departments with budget headroom
• Minimum 10% increase for the lowest paid staff
• Non-consolidated payments to be considered
• Departments must submit business cases by 30 April

GMB Response

"While we welcome the flexibility in the pay remit, a 4.5% average increase is still well below inflation and represents another real-terms pay cut for civil servants. We will be pressing departments to use the full flexibility available to them."

The Government has announced its policy for civil service pay in the coming year.

The policy applies to all Government Departments, Executive Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies. This will affect over 400,000 public servants where unions are about to enter into pay negotiations.

What is the policy?

Employers will be limited to average pay increases of 2%.

Employers could offer a further 1%, but this would need to be based on a business case, which needs to be approved by the Secretary of State. It would likely involve trading some terms and conditions of employment (e.g. Overtime premium payments) for the extra 1%.

The Government has been very clear that no extra funding will be provided to any employer to implement any change benefiting employees. Everything must be funded from budgets drawn up before the dramatic increases in inflation.

Inflation is currently 8% and rising. Energy costs, fuel costs, food costs are all rising but Government pay policy will see a big reduction in living standards for its own workers.

In theory, there are opportunities for employers to agree to use some flexibilities to introduce pay progression within pay ranges recruitment and retention but all involve business cases, which must be supported by the relevant Secretary of State and agreed by Treasury.

These business cases do not have to be submitted until December 2022, and if supported by Treasury will be followed by negotiations between employers and unions. It could be April 2023 before any pay increase is agreed and implemented.

GMB Response

In response to the cost of living crisis, GMB will issue pay claims to civil service employers which take account of:

• Rising inflation
• The impact of a decade of Government pay policy which has reduced real take home pay by up to 20%
• The serious impact on the lower paid of rising energy costs, rising fuel costs and rising food costs

Pay claims have already been submitted in some civil service employers and others will follow.

GMB has challenged a number of employers in the public and private sector successfully, with pay increases secured between 7% and 20%. This has been achieved by members undertaking successful industrial action winning disputes.

Related Updates

Pay Review Body Update (June 2023)
The GMB National Government Sector has announced a £1500 payment for all civil servants. This one-time payment is part of ongoing negotiations to address the cost of living crisis.

Pay Objectives 2023/24
The GMB has outlined its key objectives for the 2023/24 pay negotiations, focusing on inflation-linked increases, protecting terms and conditions, and addressing pay disparities.