Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is supporting a call for council and school workers to receive a pay rise from the government in the region of 12 per cent.

Unions UNISON, GMB and Unite have submitted a pay claim on behalf of council and school workers for an increase of inflation + 2 per cent.

Based on the Treasury’s annual forecast for Retail Price Index for 2023, this would amount to 12.7 per cent, UNISON explained.

SBC has carried a motion to support the pay claim.

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"Councils led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities," the motion says. "Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is." 

It continues: "Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 25 per cent of their value since 2009/10.

"Staff are now facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, with inflation hitting 10 per cent and many having to make impossible choices between food, heating and other essentials. This is a terrible situation for anyone to find themselves in."

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The borough council said its workers "are public service superheroes" who "keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running".

It said: "The government needs to take responsibility and fully fund this increase. It should not put the burden on local authorities, whose funding has been cut to the bone."