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2026-27 New JNCHES pay round

15 May 2026

The HE trade unions and UCEA met on 13 May for the final of the three scheduled meetings under the 2026–27 New JNCHES pay round. The meeting provided an opportunity for a full and constructive exchange of views, with both sides engaging fully on the issues under discussion.
In light of this, the parties agreed to conclude the meeting and to return to their respective constituencies for consultation and reflection on next steps. Further updates will be provided in due course.

UCEA wrote to the unions on 15 May with a Full and Final offer.
 UCEA Full and Final offer - 15 May 2026


9 April 2026 

UCEA and the HE trade unions met for the second of the three meetings scheduled for the 2026-27 New JNCHES pay round. 
The Trade unions’ full claim and the Employers’ statement were discussed in more depth. 
On two aspects of the Joint Trade Unions’ Full Claim which fall under the remit of New JNCHES, the pay offer for 2026-27 and the proposal for a review of the pay spine:
  • Following an initial offer of 1.5%, UCEA made an improved offer of 1.8% on all spine points, with the exception of 2% on spine point 7.
  • Positive discussions took place on the principles to underpin a review of the New JNCHES pay spine.
Two other issues were discussed outside of the New JNCHES remit:
  • A positive discussion took place on developing a joint position, with other sector representative bodies, on the sustainability of HE funding. 
  • Revisiting the work offered in 2025-26 to explore good practice on job security.


31 March 2026 

UCEA and the HE trade unions met for the first of the three meetings scheduled for the 2026-27 New JNCHES pay round. 
UCEA is representing 138 member HE Institutions in the pay round. The Trade unions’ full claim and the Employers’ statement were both discussed in some detail. 
New JNCHES negotiations will continue on 9 April.
 Full list of HEIs participating in the 2026-27 New JNCHES
 The Employers’ Statement 
 

Joint trade unions' claim

The Trade Unions 'Heads of Claim' was sent to UCEA on 26 February 2026
 Joint Higher Education Unions Heads of Claim 2026-27

The Trade Unions’ full claim for 2026-27 was sent to UCEA on 10 March 2026
 Joint HE Unions' full claim for 2026-27

Meeting dates for 2026-27

The three New JNCHES negotiating meetings for 2026-27 have been confirmed as follows:

  • Tuesday, 31 March 2026
  • Thursday, 9 April 2026
  • Wednesday, 13 May 2026
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