Archibald welcomes agreement on 2023 Civil Service pay offer

Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has welcomed the decision by unions to accept the 2023 Civil Service pay offer.

Dr Archibald MLA said: “As the Minister with responsibility for the civil service, I was pleased to be able to move quickly to make the 2023 pay offer. This pay award recognises the important work being done by civil servants in helping to deliver public services. I am pleased unions have accepted the offer.” 

The overall award across both industrial and non-industrial Civil Service staff groups, will see the majority of staff receive a 5% consolidated increase plus a one-off £1,500 non-consolidated payment. The award includes contractual progression for those eligible.

The Minister added: “We will be keeping staff updated and arrangements are being made to ensure payment of the award in May for industrial civil servants and June for non-industrial civil servants.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department of Finance made an offer to recognised civil service trade unions on 26 February and all unions have now indicated that the offer has been accepted.
2. The award includes:

• 5% increase to the majority of civil service pay scales; bringing up the pay of the lowest paid staff (Administrative Assistant and analogous grades, including Industrial 1 staff) to the voluntary Living Wage Foundation rates of £12.00 an hour or £23,177 annually, a 10% increase;
• performance-related progression; and a £1,500 non-consolidated payment to staff eligible for the 2023 pay award, subject to the detail in the written offer to unions.

3. It is intended that payment of the award will be made to industrial staff in May and non-industrial staff in June.
4. Living Wage Foundation rates (For the real cost of living | Living Wage Foundation) are different from the National Minimum Wage for those aged 23 and over, which the Government calls the Living Wage.
5. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance Press Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk.
6. To keep up to date with news from the Department you can follow us on the following social media channels:

• X - @dptfinance
• Facebook - @dptfinance
• Instagram - @department_of_finance
• LinkedIn - Department of Finance

7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page