This report is based on a review of the pay policy statements published by each of the 174 principal local authorities in England and Wales, supplemented by a survey of the same authorities.
The report shows that local authorities are leading the movement to shrink the pay gap between highest and lowest paid staff with over 20% committing to paying staff at least the Living Wage and several others encouraging employers to do the same. At the other end of the pay scale one in eight principal local authorities in England and Wales have taken steps to reduce top pay and limit pay ratios. However, the report also warns that poor guidance on reporting resulted in incomparable data which undermines the government’s intention to promote fair pay in the public sector.