Statement on pay negotiations 2026/27

The National Joint Forum (NJF), which brings together the recognised trade unions ( GMB, NEU, UNISON, UNITE and UCU) and the Association of Colleges (AoC), met for the second time on Friday 3 July to discuss the joint trade unions pay claim for 2026/27.  

The NJF warmly welcomed the government's recent announcement of an additional £485 million investment over two years in further education to address staff recruitment and retention challenges. The announcement follows joint representations from the AoC and the trade unions, who called on government to provide the investment needed to support a meaningful pay award for college staff. Both sides agreed that the government's funding investment in further education is essential if colleges are to recruit, retain and reward the skilled workforce needed to deliver high-quality education and training.  

Given the timing of the funding announcement, the NJF agreed that it would meet again in September, when AoC anticipates being able to present a meaningful pay award recommendation to the trade union side.  

AoC made clear that, while the additional funding is a very positive development, it is not sufficient on its own to close the longstanding pay gaps between further education, schools and industry. The trade unions made clear their expectation that all the additional funding announced by government should be used to fund a pay increase for staff in the FE sector.    

While welcoming this additional investment, all agreed that further education continues to face financial challenges. The employers and trade unions therefore agreed to work together to jointly campaign in the autumn to make the case to government for sustained investment in further education, a longer-term plan for fair and properly funded pay for FE staff, and to champion the vital contribution colleges make to economic growth, enhancing opportunity and the delivery of the government's missions.  

The NJF also agreed to reopen discussions on a national pay bargaining framework for further education. It was agreed that a dedicated meeting on this issue would be scheduled, with a date to be confirmed.  

Both AoC and the joint trade unions look forward to continuing these constructive discussions over the coming months.