Question 1

What is the NJC pay scale for local government in 2026/27?

Accepted Answer

The NJC (National Joint Council) Green Book sets local government pay. In 2026/27 the bottom of the scale starts at around £25,500. A Team Leader on £32,000 takes home £24,896/year (£2,075/month). A Manager on £40,500 takes home £30,088/year (£2,507/month). A Head of Service on £48,500 takes home £35,336/year (£2,945/month). All figures are after income tax, NI and LGPS pension deductions.

Question 2

What pension do local government workers receive?

Accepted Answer

Local government workers are in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), a defined benefit scheme. Employee contributions are tiered by pay: 5.5% up to £23,600, 6.5% on £23,601–£37,400, 8.0% on £37,401–£59,700, and 9.0% above £59,700. Employer contributions are approximately 18–20% of salary. The LGPS provides a career average revalued earnings (CARE) pension.

Question 3

Who does the NJC Green Book apply to?

Accepted Answer

The NJC (National Joint Council for Local Government Services) Green Book applies to most local government employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are not covered by a separate negotiating body. This includes administrative staff, housing officers, social workers, planning officers, council managers and many other council roles. Teachers, police officers and firefighters have separate national pay arrangements.

Question 4

What is a spinal column point (SCP) in local government pay?

Accepted Answer

Spinal column points (SCPs) are the individual pay points on the NJC pay scale. Each employer maps job grades to a range of SCPs. Staff typically progress up their grade's SCP range through annual increments until they reach the top of their grade. The bottom of the NJC scale (SCP 1) was £24,790 in 2025-26. Individual councils may pay above the NJC minimum.

Question 5

How is local government pay different from civil service pay?

Accepted Answer

Local government (NJC Green Book) and civil service (CSCS) are separate pay frameworks. NJC covers council employees; CSCS covers central government departments. Civil servants are in the Civil Service Alpha pension (average 5.45% employee contribution). Local government workers are in LGPS (tiered 5.5%–9.0%). Pay levels are broadly comparable at equivalent grades, but individual councils and departments vary significantly.

Role / Grade	Gross	Take-Home/Year	Monthly Net	LGPS Rate	SCP Band
Administrative Assistant	£25,500	£20,554	£1,713.00	6.5%	SCP 3–4
Administrative Officer	£27,500	£21,890	£1,824.00	6.5%	SCP 6–8
Senior Administrative Officer	£29,500	£23,226	£1,936.00	6.5%	SCP 10–12
Team Leader / Housing Officer	£32,000	£24,896	£2,075.00	6.5%	SCP 15–18
Professional / Technical Officer	£34,500	£26,565	£2,214.00	6.5%	SCP 20–23
Senior Professional / Social Worker	£37,500	£28,570	£2,381.00	6.5%	SCP 25–27
Manager	£40,500	£30,088	£2,507.00	8.0%	SCP 30–32
Senior Manager / Senior Planner	£44,000	£32,384	£2,699.00	8.0%	SCP 35–37
Head of Service	£48,500	£35,336	£2,945.00	8.0%	SCP 40–42
Director	£57,000	£40,539	£3,378.00	9.0%	Above SCP 43

NJC Pay Scales 2026/27

NJC Local Government Pay Scale — Take-Home 2026/27

LGPS Pension Contribution Rates 2026/27

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