UCEA's full and final pay offer now needs to be considered by all

UCEA and the HE trade unions met yesterday (25 January 2023) as New JNCHES for the third and final meeting of the HE pay negotiating round for 2023-24*. This concluding pay meeting came more than three months in advance of the usual pay talks timetable, with HE institutions and trade unions fully recognising the urgent inflationary pressures currently facing all staff.

UCEA, representing 144 participating HE employers, made a full and final pay offer of between 8% and 5%. This offer prioritises the disproportionate effect of high inflation falling on the lower paid but still with a minimum of 5% for all other members of staff.

This offer is the highest uplift in nearly 20 years offered in New JNCHES negotiations, and recognises the current cost pressures faced by both employees and employers. The intention is for between 3.2% and 2% to be paid with effect from 1 February while the remaining uplift will come from 1 August, as is the usual timetable.