Half of social workers have backed unions' call for a 10% pay rise for council staff in 2026-27, in response to a Community Care poll.
However, a third of respondents warned their view on the claim was immaterial as UNISON, Unite and the GMB would end up settling for whatever employers offered.
10% pay rise for social workers urged
Last month, the three unions lodged a claim for a pay hike of £3,000 or 10%, whichever is higher, for local government staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to take account of “years of effective pay cuts, which have left staff struggling to keep up with rising household bills”. This would amount to a 10% rise for social workers.
The claim was backed by just over half (53%) of 829 respondents to the poll, who agreed it was "the least staff deserved after years of real-terms pay cuts”.
However, one-third (34%) felt their opinion did not matter because the unions would ultimately settle for whatever employers offer, as has happened in recent years.
For example, last year the local government deal was agreed in July, after UNISON and GMB agreed to employers' initial offer, despite members of all three unions having rejected the offer just weeks previously.
Local government funding concerns
The remaining 13% of poll respondents said unions’ claim was “unaffordable” due to the current financial strains local authorities were under.
In 2025, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned that rising demand and costs were outstripping resources, following three years in which authorities have significantly overspent on both adults’ and children’s services.
Under ministers’ proposed local government funding settlement for 2026-27, resources available to English councils would increase by 5.8% (3.5% in real terms) year on year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
However, this is dependent on local authorities increasing council tax by the maximum permitted level, typically 5%.
Even then, the funding would fall short of what would be required to fund a 10% pay rise, given the existing pressures on council services highlighted by the LGA.
What are your thoughts on the unions' claim for 2026-27? Tell us in the comments!
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