Workplace Report November 2002

Features: Pay News

Audit Commission improves London weighting

Audit Commission

Public sector

Location: National

No. covered: 2,400

Increase: 3.7%

Length of agreement: 2 years

Date: 1.11.02

Hours: 35 or 36

Holidays: 25-30 +8+2.5

London weighting arrangements have been improved at the Audit Commission as part of a package that increased basic pay by 3.5% in November, with a further 0.2% in recognition of the "significant effort" made by staff in 2002. A single London weighting allowance for the Greater London area was introduced, based on the existing inner London rate increased in line with the general pay award (£4,826).

A new, bigger 'Roseland allowance' of £2,932 was agreed for areas in the South East outside London. The allowance covers Cambridge (including Peterborough); Essex, Kent, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire including Milton Keynes; Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

The pay deal brought a minimum hourly rate of £5 and 1.6% was set aside for pay progression. In addition, 1% (minimum £100) will be added to bonus payments due in December. Next year there will be an overall pot of 5.1% for salary increases.