GMB Scotland accepts council pay offer and halts strikes

Union: Ministers must not blame spending cuts on public service pay 

Ministers must not blame public service pay deals for spending cuts, according to GMB Scotland.

The warning comes as the union announces members have voted to accept a council pay offer and halt looming industrial action.

The union, one of the biggest across Scotland’s local authorities, revealed a ballot of members in councils showed 78% of those voting supported the deal offering up to 5.6% for frontline workers.

The offer from Cosla, representing Scotland’s councils, came just days before the start of strikes in waste and cleansing earlier this month.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, confirmed the industrial action, suspended during the vote, would not now go ahead.

He said it was right the offer, delivering a minimum rise of 3.6% for all grades, was weighted to ensure full-time frontline staff got a rise of £1,292 – equivalent to 5.6% for the lowest paid – but criticised needless delays.

Greenaway said: “Council leaders’ lack of urgency and stubborn refusal to ask the Scottish Government for support meant negotiations and uncertainty went on far longer than necessary.

“It should not take imminent strike action to deliver a fair offer but, while it came too late, the deal was above inflation for all staff and weighted to benefit frontline workers most.

“That was what the unions had asked for and, given that, it is no surprise our members accepted it.”

GMB Scotland has criticised the Scottish Government, however, after ministers froze non-essential spending within 24 hours of the offer being made before warning of more cuts this week.

Greenaway said: “Ministers implying a fair pay offer for our members means cuts to spending are only diverting attention from the real cause of the crisis in our public services.

“We have endured more than a decade of cuts not because of staff being paid fairly but because our governments, at Westminster and Holyrood, have failed to properly fund the public sector.

“Government is about choices but, when our public services are struggling to recruit and retain skilled staff, paying council staff fairly is not part of the problem but part of the solution.”

Council extends financial support for tenants struggling to pay rent

City councillors have announced plans to increase the Tenant Hardship Fund maximum average payment to around £480.

Launched in 2023, the Fund was created in response to the additional financial burden that tenants were facing from the cost-of-living crisis. It offers financial assistance to tenants struggling to make rent payments.

By 31 March 2024, the Council had received 2,741 applications to the Fund with 2,585 approved.

For 2024/25, the award has increased to a maximum of two fortnightly charges which will help tenants who need intervention to prevent court escalation and secure an affordable repayment plan.

Around 80% of Council tenants in Edinburgh receive assistance with their rent in the form of housing benefits or Universal Credit. The changes will also apply to new Universal Credit claimants, where deferred payments may create a rent pressure. 

The new two fortnightly payment is expected to support tenants during this period and protect them against an arrears spike.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher said:We don’t want tenants to fall into a situation where their debt becomes unmanageable, and we absolutely want to help people remain in their home. It’s so important that we continue to collect rent but that we do everything we can to support tenants in arrears.

“By extending the fund, we are providing a vital lifeline for those facing difficult times, allowing them to stay in their homes and avoid the devastating impact of eviction. I want tenants and residents’ groups to know that they can come to us if they’re worried about being able to pay their rent or have already missed payments.”

Tenants who are struggling to pay rent can speak to their housing officer or contact tenanthardshipfund@edinburgh.gov.uk.