Council Worker Payslip Explained
A complete guide for local government employees. Understand your NJC pay scale, Spinal Column Points, and the LGPS pension scheme.
NJC Pay Scales & Spinal Column Points (SCP)
Most council and local government employees are paid according to the National Joint Council (NJC) "Green Book" agreement. Rather than negotiating individual salaries, your pay is determined by your grade and your Spinal Column Point (SCP).
The SCP scale generally runs from Point 1 (the lowest) up to Point 43 (though some senior roles go higher). When you look at your payslip, you might see a code like "Grade 4, SCP 7".
- Annual Increments: Usually, you will move up one SCP every year within your grade until you reach the top point of that grade.
- Annual Pay Awards: The monetary value of each SCP is negotiated annually between employers and unions. When a pay rise is agreed, the value of your SCP increases.
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
The LGPS is one of the most valuable benefits of working for a council. It is a Defined Benefit scheme, specifically a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme.
Why is the LGPS so valuable?
Unlike a private "Defined Contribution" pension (where your money is invested in the stock market and your retirement income is uncertain), a Defined Benefit scheme gives you a guaranteed income in retirement based on your earnings and how long you have been a member.
LGPS Contribution Rates
Your contribution rate is tiered based on your actual pensionable pay. The bands are reviewed every year. Broadly, the rates look like this:
- Up to approx ยฃ17,600: 5.5%
- Up to approx ยฃ27,600: 5.8%
- Up to approx ยฃ44,900: 6.5%
- Up to approx ยฃ56,800: 6.8%
- Up to approx ยฃ79,700: 8.5%
- Above ยฃ79,700: 9.9% to 12.5%
Tax Relief: Your LGPS contributions are taken from your pay before Income Tax is calculated. This means the actual reduction in your take-home pay is less than the percentage shown on your payslip, because you receive tax relief at 20% (or 40% if you are a higher earner).
Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
If you want to boost your retirement savings, the LGPS allows you to make Additional Voluntary Contributions. These are extra payments you make into a separate investment pot alongside your main LGPS pension.
Many councils offer AVCs via a Salary Sacrifice arrangement (often called Shared Cost AVCs). If your council offers this, your AVCs are deducted before both Tax and National Insurance, making it an extremely tax-efficient way to save.
Check your full take-home pay
Make sure your monthly budget adds up. Use our comprehensive payslip calculator to see exactly how much you will take home after tax, pension, and student loan deductions.