Finance Minister has welcomed the decision
by unions to accept the 2024/25 pay award for civil servants.
The 20-month offer, accepted by all unions, will see the majority
of civil servants receive a 3% consolidated increase with effect
from 1 August 2024 and a 6% consolidated increase with effect
from 1 August 2025.
Minister O'Dowd said: “I am pleased unions have accepted
the 2024/25 pay offer.
"This pay award signals the importance we place on civil
servants and the key role they will play in transforming our
services and contributing to the delivery of our Programme for
Government ambitions.
"Moving to a 20-month deal and the same pay cycle as
other workers will give staff certainty and is a more strategic
approach, leaving us better placed to recruit and retain the
workforce we need.
"Confirming our commitment to being a living wage
foundation employer, alongside improvements in maternity cover,
shows our determination to ensure equality and fairness in our
pay structures.
"The pressures facing public services are significant and
increasing, skilled and motivated staff are essential to drive
transformation and ensure we meet the changing needs of
citizens.”
Subject to eligibility, the award includes:
- Contractual performance-related progression;
- Bringing up the pay of the lowest paid staff (Administrative
Assistant and analogous grades, including Industrial 1 staff) to
the Living Wage Foundation rates of £12.60 an hour or £24,336
annually;
- All other eligible staff to receive a consolidated increase
of 3% with effect from 1 August 2024 and 6% with effect from 1
August 2025; and,
- A series of improvements to allowances and other important
terms and conditions such as maternity and adoption pay to be
detailed during 2025.
Notes to editors:
- Living Wage Foundation rates are different from the National
Minimum Wage for those aged 23 and over, which the Government
calls the Living Wage. For more information visit
https://www.livingwage.org.uk/
