Members may have picked up that there is to be a joint statement issued tomorrow regarding the ongoing pay talks. This has been agreed between PCS and DWP and is intended to give an update on negotiations and a flavour of the issues being discussed.

The talks are ongoing and are expected to continue for some weeks before any offer is made. Some managers though are speculating and calling staff together to tell them there is an announcement due. The only announcement is that talks are ongoing and PCS will update and consult all members as soon as it is sensible to do so and there is a clear proposal to discuss.

A PCS circular will also be issued tomorrow Thursday 25 February alongside the joint statement that gives more detail about the talks.

PCS will consult members at every stage of the talks but at the moment these are still at a relatively early stage, with no plans yet finalised.

Whilst it is understandable that some managers want to give staff a ‘heads up’ about what may, or may not, be discussed, the negotiations between DWP and the trade unions are the only place an offer can be made and any communications from managers who are not part of those negotiations can only be viewed as speculation.

Please look out for the joint statement and PCS circular which will both be issued tomorrow.