Lowest paid Sheffield council workers get salary rise

Thousands of Sheffield City Council's lowest paid workers are to receive a salary increase next year.

The authority said subject to negotiations, just under 8,000 staff who earn £21,000 or less would be given a £250 rise.

In June the government said it wanted councils to consider awarding lower paid staff extra money next April and then again in April 2012.

Discussions are continuing about a pay freeze for staff earning over £21,000.

The council said the cost of implementing the pay increase had been built into the authority's budget.

Sheffield council leader Paul Scriven said: "It is sometimes forgotten that the majority of staff who work in the public sector are amongst the lowest paid in the UK workforce.

"Sheffield City Council has taken this decision to implement the pay increase ahead of national negotiations completing, as it is the right thing to do."