The Labour government is facing mounting pressure from within the public sector as the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union warns of possible industrial action across Whitehall. Delegates at the union’s annual conference in Brighton have passed a motion demanding a radical overhaul of civil service pay and conditions, including an £18 per hour minimum wage, a pay rise of at least 10% across the board, and a reduced working week with no loss in salary.
The PCS, which represents over 180,000 civil servants working in departments like HMRC, the Home Office, and DWP, has made it clear: if these demands are not met by September, the union will ballot members on strike action. This could trigger mass walkouts affecting essential public services, just as the Labour government is attempting to implement cost-saving reforms.
At the heart of the dispute is a growing discontent among public sector workers who feel sidelined amid rising inflation, stagnant wages, and increasing workloads. With the government already planning a £2 billion cut in Whitehall spending, tensions are at a boiling point.
Breakdown of PCS Union’s Demands
£18 Minimum Wage
The most headline-grabbing demand is the call for a minimum wage of £18 per hour across the civil service. This is a significant jump from previous demands for £15 per hour and is intended to address years of stagnation in real wages, especially as inflation continues to bite.
PCS leadership argued that current pay levels have failed to keep pace with the cost of living, pushing many civil servants to the brink of financial hardship. Union reps claim that an £18 hourly rate would not only ensure dignity for workers but also help attract and retain talent in the public sector.
For comparison, the current statutory national living wage stands at £11.44 per hour as of April 2025—highlighting the gulf between civil servants’ expectations and government policy.
10% Pay Rise Across the Board
In addition to a higher minimum wage, the PCS is demanding a fully consolidated 10% pay rise for all civil service employees. This demand reflects the union’s position that public sector wages have eroded drastically in real terms since 2010 due to wage freezes and below-inflation pay awards.
PCS argues that the pay rise is necessary not just to keep pace with inflation but to correct over a decade of pay suppression under successive governments. According to internal PCS data, civil service pay has fallen by nearly 20% in real terms since the start of austerity policies in 2010.
Shorter Working Week
The motion passed at the PCS conference also calls for a reduced working week without a reduction in pay. Although the exact number of proposed hours was not specified, union leaders have previously supported moving toward a four-day week or a 32-hour standard.
The union cites improved productivity, better mental health, and reduced absenteeism as key reasons to back a shorter workweek. “Our members are overworked and underpaid. It’s time for a new model that values work-life balance,” said one delegate during the Brighton conference.
£5,000 London Weighting
For members based in the capital, the PCS is demanding a minimum London weighting of £5,000 per year. This is a long-standing issue, with many arguing that the current regional allowances fail to reflect the true cost of living in London, including housing, transport, and childcare.
Union officials say the flat-rate proposal would introduce fairness and transparency to pay structures, ensuring those in high-cost areas aren’t left worse off.
Motion Passed at Brighton Conference
Union Consensus and Delegates’ Voices
The PCS annual conference in Brighton served as a rallying point for civil servants frustrated with what they see as years of neglect. The motion, passed unanimously, reflects a mood of growing militancy within the union. Delegates gave passionate speeches about low morale, staff burnout, and job insecurity—highlighting a workforce at breaking point.
The PCS’s General Secretary, Fran Heathcote, said: “Our members have had enough. They deliver vital public services day in, day out, and it’s time they were treated with the respect and pay they deserve.”
Additional Conditions
Beyond pay, the motion includes several other provisions:
- Job security agreements to shield members from redundancy and outsourcing.
- Opposition to the “tap on the shoulder” exit method, which the union argues opens the door to discrimination.
- Calls for national pay bargaining, ending the fragmented, department-by-department negotiation model.
- AI-related safeguards, amid growing concern about automation and its impact on jobs.
These add depth to the union’s platform, suggesting a comprehensive push for reform, not just pay increases.
Government Response and Spending Plans
Labour’s Planned £2 Billion Cuts
The backdrop to the PCS campaign is Labour’s plan to cut £2 billion from government departments by 2030. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has framed the cuts as necessary for boosting efficiency and achieving fiscal discipline without raising taxes.
However, PCS leadership sees it differently. They warn that these cuts will translate into job losses, increased workloads, and poorer public services. “Cutting frontline departments like HMRC and the Home Office will hurt citizens and workers alike,” the union declared.
Union Concerns Over Public Service Impact
The PCS argues that such budget reductions will cripple essential services, including:
- Jobcentres, where longer queues and staff shortages are already an issue.
- HMRC call centres, which struggle with wait times during tax season.
- Asylum processing, where delays have created legal and humanitarian backlogs.
Union members fear that unless properly staffed and funded, these services will continue to decline—damaging public trust and overburdening remaining employees.
