PCS Rejects Public Sector Pay Offers Across Defence
PCS has formally informed the Ministry of Defence of our rejection of this year’s pay offer, following a meeting of our defence sector group executive. While the group has rejected the offer, it has agreed not to stand in the way of its imposition.
Why we rejected the offer
Once again, the funding made available to the department and its arm’s-length bodies by the Cabinet Office is insufficient. It fails to address:
- Years of pay restraint
- The urgent need for pay restoration
- Ongoing cost-of-living pressures, including inflation and rising household bills.
The public sector pay remit stands at 3.25%, with an additional 0.5% intended to address issues such as:
- Low pay
- Maintaining pay differentials
- Scarce skills,
PCS believes this 0.5% is being stretched too thin across too many problem areas. We are calling for similar or increased allocations in future years to begin meaningfully addressing these long-standing issues. So far, there has been no assurance that this will happen.
Billions for defence – but not for civil servants
Despite billions being announced for increased defence spending this year, PCS members in the MoD and its agencies are seeing none of it. Instead, the money is being channelled into private sector contracts – on weapons and equipment – rather than rewarding the thousands of hard-working civil servants, PCS members who support frontline military operations.
Cuts, restructuring, and unfulfilled promises
In December 2024, outgoing permanent secretary David Williams announced a 10% cut in civilian roles by the end of the decade. This reduction is expected to deliver substantial cost savings and is part of a broader defence reform programme, including the formation of a new quad structure, ongoing until at least the end of 2026.
The Civil Service People Plan promises a “smaller, more agile and better rewarded workforce.” While we are certainly seeing a smaller and more agile workforce, we have yet to see any evidence of a better rewarded one.
PCS is urging the department to use the efficiencies and benefits promised by defence reform as the basis for a future business case to the Cabinet Office. If the workforce is to be more agile, efficient, and productive, this must be reflected in staff rewards.
Progress on contractual issues
We’ve made progress this year in getting the employer to address long-standing contractual issues, including:
- Problems faced by shift workers on 37–42-hour contracts
- Issues with shift uplifts, overtime, and disincentives to seek promotion
- Outdated contracts such as OMEC, which are causing more problems than they solve.
We’ll be sending out further communications to members soon, with details on how you can get involved in upcoming consultations.
Arm’s-length bodies and ongoing talks
PCS has also engaged on pay with the arm’s-length bodies, including:
- Defence Equipment and Support
- Submarine Delivery Agency
- UK Hydrographic Office
In each case, the group executive committee has concluded that the available funding pot is too small to make meaningful progress. Pay talks are still ongoing at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Now is the time to Join PCS
With so many changes happening across defence, there’s never been a more important time to join PCS—the union for defence staff. We are your voice in the fight for fair pay, better conditions, and a future where civil servants are truly valued.