18 May 2026
UCEA and the HE trade unions met on 13 May for the third and final meeting of the 2026-27 New JNCHES pay round. UCEA’s letter to trade unions is a full and final pay offer, which includes a 2% pay increase from 1 August 2026.*
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, Chair of UCEA, said:
“It was clear from the outset that the magnitude of HE challenges faced by both sides would be extremely testing. Financial pressures impact all within our sector and this remains the primary joint concern for employees and employers alike. All of the elements of the trade unions’ claim were considered and discussed with constructive exchange between the parties. I would like to thank all involved in this process for the hard work to fully explore any feasible options and offers, and for remaining committed to engaging in productive and constructive negotiations throughout.
“This full and final pay offer results in a significant financial challenge for the HEIs we represent and we appreciate the sector support for this pay uplift. But we also acknowledge and understand that for some HEIs this uplift will simply not be possible. Unfortunately, financial circumstances have deteriorated further since the consultation at the start of the year.”
Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive, said:
“A 2% pay uplift clearly does not reflect the true value employers place on staff, but unfortunately it is the best we can offer given the severity of the financial pressures facing the sector.
“We believe that our trade union colleagues are equally concerned by these sector challenges. Increasing numbers of HE institutions face financial deficit and difficult restructuring decisions and so the final offer considered this. I would add that we have had productive discussions and negotiations which have helped employers to make offers on a number of items included in the unions’ claim.”
Notes
*Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES). The five HE trade unions are EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite.
For more information of the pay round see https://www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2026-27-nj-pay-round/
This includes UCEA’s letter to the unions on 15 May with a Full and Final offer.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Public Affairs and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk).
UCEA and the HE trade unions met on 13 May for the third and final meeting of the 2026-27 New JNCHES pay round. UCEA’s letter to trade unions is a full and final pay offer, which includes a 2% pay increase from 1 August 2026.*
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, Chair of UCEA, said:
“It was clear from the outset that the magnitude of HE challenges faced by both sides would be extremely testing. Financial pressures impact all within our sector and this remains the primary joint concern for employees and employers alike. All of the elements of the trade unions’ claim were considered and discussed with constructive exchange between the parties. I would like to thank all involved in this process for the hard work to fully explore any feasible options and offers, and for remaining committed to engaging in productive and constructive negotiations throughout.
“This full and final pay offer results in a significant financial challenge for the HEIs we represent and we appreciate the sector support for this pay uplift. But we also acknowledge and understand that for some HEIs this uplift will simply not be possible. Unfortunately, financial circumstances have deteriorated further since the consultation at the start of the year.”
Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive, said:
“A 2% pay uplift clearly does not reflect the true value employers place on staff, but unfortunately it is the best we can offer given the severity of the financial pressures facing the sector.
“We believe that our trade union colleagues are equally concerned by these sector challenges. Increasing numbers of HE institutions face financial deficit and difficult restructuring decisions and so the final offer considered this. I would add that we have had productive discussions and negotiations which have helped employers to make offers on a number of items included in the unions’ claim.”
Notes
*Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES). The five HE trade unions are EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite.
For more information of the pay round see https://www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2026-27-nj-pay-round/
This includes UCEA’s letter to the unions on 15 May with a Full and Final offer.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Public Affairs and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk).
