Three unions have submitted a pay claim that attempts to narrow the growing gap between declining wages and the rising cost of living.
UNISON, Unite and the GMB, who together represent over 1.6 million local government employees, argue that local government workers should be given a five per cent pay rise following eight years of government-imposed pay restraint, which has seen wages either frozen or held to a one per cent increase.
Having made a claim, the unions are also seeking to move the lowest paid staff onto the real living wage of £8.45 an hour (£9.75 in London).

Therese Coffey has been reappointed as Resources Minister within the Defra, following Michael Gove's appointment as Environment Secretary.

A new report shows that UK local authorities are increasingly adopting digital processes, although there's room for improvement.

Manchester City Council has begun implementing its new five-year £100 million highways investment programme.

Ofsted inspectors visited the city council in May to review progress made since its last full inspection in September 2016. It found that the council is ‘making steady progress, and has taken some important steps in improving services for its children and young people’.

The number of workers has peaked since records began in 1971, official figures show.
The Office of National Statistics reports that there are 31.95 million people now in work, demonstrating an increase of 372,000 on the year, and that the employment rate remains at a record high of 74.8 per cent.

A review into the 8 June parliamentary election will be carried out following social media complaints from constituents who were unable to vote.

The auditor general for Wales says authorities must try harder to reduce the gap between income and spending.

The Scottish government has committed to stimulate investment in affordable housing by making £1.75 billion available to councils.
Each local authority will be informed of their full funding allocation for affordable housing over the next three years in an attempt to provide clarity and certainty over planning for the period.

The Islands Bill has been published by the Scottish Parliament to create the right environment for sustainable growth and empowered communities.