Consultative ballot to be extended in DWP

Many members have reported difficulties in locating the email containing the link to the ballot, there have already been a huge number of replacement ballots requested.

The group wants to ensure that every member has the opportunity to have their say, so to give you every possible chance to return your ballot paper, we are extending the ballot from 30 September to noon on 10 October.

DWP staff will be required to deliver vital public services in a government department that aims to fully transform the welfare state in the coming years. That work is already underway and your reward for it is a pay increase that is lower than any other government department. On 1 April 2026, thousands of DWP workers will be back on the National Living Wage, for the fourth consecutive year.

That pay increase will become a hard reality on 30 September pay day. This comes in the same month that many DWP staff have been required to attend the office an extra day per week, with the additional cost entailed there, while members working in Jobcentres are still refused access to hybrid working.

DWP has refused to submit a business case for extra funds to address low pay, this despite staffing being at such a crisis point that some Jobcentre members cannot leave the floor to use the toilet as numbers will fall below a safe level. Low pay is clearly having a significant impact on the department’s ability to recruit new staff and keep hold of the staff they already have, as pay and terms and conditions fail to compete with those of other employers. This again, will make it more difficult to deliver the transformation agenda.

Chronic low pay in the DWP cannot continue. The GEC has rejected this imposed pay award as it does not meet the PCS pay claim. We now need every member that hasn’t already voted, to tell the GEC whether or not you are prepared to take strike action on pay. This ballot is not for strike action now, but to give the group an indication of how you feel. 

Please use this extended period to search for the email from [email protected] which will have arrived on Tuesday 23 September. Check your inbox, junk, spam, and deleted folders. Also, ensure your email address is correct on PCS Digital and that you have not unsubscribed from PCS emails The replacement ballot window will be reopened for a short period.

Let’s see every member that can casting their vote in this ballot and voting ‘YES’ to allow us to put maximum possible pressure on the DWP to tackle low pay. A resounding YES vote will show how strong we are and help us leverage the employer on hybrid working and other important issues.