DWP members share why they’ve voted yes to fight low pay

It is crucial that our members in the Department for Work and Pensions vote in the pay ballot, which closes at noon on 10 October, and send a powerful message to their employer to address chronic low pay.

The consultative ballot on the 2025/26 DWP has been extended and will now close at noon on 10 October. The ballot is online, and you can only vote using the online link sent in the email from the independent balloting service. The email is from [email protected] and was sent out on 9 September.

Reps have been sharing why they’ve voted yes and why it’s important for all DWP members to get involved in the ballot.

Rep Dylan has voted yes to act against pay inequality: “By giving a bigger slice of the pie to senior grades, DWP leadership are yet again demonstrating their utter contempt for those of us doing the legwork processing and delivering benefits day in day out to some of the most vulnerable in society.

“Even for an AA, it shouldn't be too much to expect enough left behind each month to maybe plan for Christmas, or a family holiday. Instead, as an EO, I'm now staring down the barrel of minimum wage.”

For Lee voting yes is about standing for his own and his colleagues’ financial security:

"For me, voting "yes" in the PCS ballot is a personal commitment to stand up for my own financial security and that of my colleagues. I am directly challenging a pay offer that fails to address the reality of rising costs and the chronic low pay that many of us face, sending a clear message that our hard work deserves a fair and meaningful pay rise."

Liz says she find it unacceptable that staff working for DWP are on such low pay: "I'm voting yes in the consultative ballot because, despite the permanent secretary stating that low pay and the national living wage being a priority for him, as an AO I am once again going to have to receive an uplift in April to the National Living Wage, along with all of our members in AA and AO grades. As will some of our EO members. It is unacceptable that any member of staff working for DWP should be on such low pay, even more unacceptable that many of our members have to claim UC and use foodbanks to survive."

NEC member Saul is voting "yes" because DWP has “for the second year running, failed to prioritise the lowest paid, failed to address pay compression and failed to put in a business case to ensure all our staff can get a better offer.”

“A strong 'yes' vote will force the department to listen to our members’ needs instead of their own interest,” he said.

All members, who have yet to vote, should have received a further email from the balloting service [email protected] on Wednesday. This will contain the link to the ballot and the secure login details. Please check your inbox and spam for this email.

Expect a call from PCS activists on Super Saturday

It is crucial everyone votes and our activists are working hard to deliver a big yes vote, including joining a Super Saturday event on Saturday (4).

Our DWP group is running the event where reps will be contacting members who have not yet voted, speaking to them about the ballot and the importance of voting.

Calls are easy to make; you do not need a laptop or computer as they can be made from your phone using the Movement system. Your phone number is not used or displayed in any way.

Calls can be made from home. PCS offices in London and Birmingham will be open, and reps can arrange to come into those offices to make calls. If any branches would like to come into other PCS offices, contact [email protected]

VOTE YES

Please complete this ballot and encourage your colleagues to do the same. It is vital that we send a strong message to DWP and UK Government that PCS members will not accept poverty pay in the DWP. DWP must do better.