Local government employers and trade unions agree 2.2% pay rise for council workers

The agreement on pay covers the period January 1 2015 to 31 March 2016. It affects more than one million local government employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Staff on salaries of £14,013 and under will see a slightly bigger pay rise, the Local Government Association said.

The agreement does not apply to council chief executives, senior officers, teachers or firefighters, who are covered by separate national pay arrangements.

Employers agreed to the proposals following a consultation carried out by the LGA's National Joint Council.

An LGA spokesman said: "After a protracted dispute, we are pleased that an agreement with the unions has now been reached.

"Our hardworking employees, who have worked wonders while councils have been tackling the biggest cuts in living memory, have been waiting since April for an agreement. [This] breakthrough is good news for them."

In the summer of 2014 three unions – Unison, Unite and the GMB – all announced strike action over pay.

The original offer made was an increase of 1% for most employees.