Soulbury Pay Offer Update - October 2025

Following the pay claim sent to the Soulbury Employers' Side on 25 June the Employers’ Side undertook a consultation of councils in England and Wales and have sent a formal response to the claim, dated 7 October 2025.

The headline of the offer received in response to the Soulbury unions' claim is as follows:

Pay
• An increase of 3.2% on all pay points with effect from 1 September 2025.
• An increase of 3.2% on all allowances with effect from 1 September 2025.

This increase falls short of the unions' claim for an increase of at least 5%. The employers' response emphasised the most important factor in reaching a decision on this response has been affordability. The proposed increase was deemed to be unaffordable in a number of local councils.

Pay spines
The 2025 claim had also requested a series of changes to the pay spines. The Employers’ Side has said it is unable to agree to these elements of the claim on the basis of cost and affordability and the need for local authorities to maintain local flexibility.

The offer will now be considered by the AEP National Executive Committee, who will consider its response on behalf of members and in further discussions with the fellow Soulbury unions. We will provide an update to all AEP members as soon as possible.