Human Resources Director Jaspal Kaur today confirmed that 2020/21 incremental pay progression will be paid to all eligible staff, and colleagues paid at the Voluntary Living Wage rate will also receive its most recent increase.

As many colleagues will be aware, spending had been paused on pay increments and the Nottingham Reward Scheme in order to protect jobs, while discussions were held with trades unions to manage our £365 million annual pay bill while we navigated the financial uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, university finances are now in a position to be able to pay increments and the latest Voluntary Living Wage rate, as follows:

• Incremental progression for staff at levels 1 – 3: will be paid in salaries at the end of March, including backdated pay to 1 August 2020.
• Incremental Progression for staff at levels 4 – 7: will be paid from 1 April 2021 (applied in the April 2021 payroll), with backdated pay to 1 August 2020 paid in May 2021.
• Voluntary Living Wage: the University will pay the most recent Living Wage Foundation rate of £9.50 per hour to all staff whose hourly rate is below £9.50 per hour from 1 April 2021.

Re-grading and promotion panels have also resumed, and the university will return to the normal timetable for the 2021 academic promotion cycle, which will open in September 2021.

Confirming the pay increases, Jaspal Kaur said:

“While the cost of living increase will not take place this year, we are now in a financial position to be able to pay all eligible staff at levels 1-7 their increments and have already paid increments to colleagues in the O&F job family.

“Against a very difficult financial backdrop caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a significant loss of income this year, I am particularly pleased that we have been able to offer colleagues some financial recognition for the additional efforts and contribution you have made during this extraordinary year.

“I would like to thank all colleagues for their patience, hard work and diligence in meeting the university’s 15% savings targets, which has put us into a financial position to confirm pay increments and increase pay for our lowest paid staff.

“The overriding priority continues to be to protect jobs, teaching, research and the student experience during the pandemic. While we are not yet in a position to reinstate the Nottingham Reward Scheme, we will keep this under review aligned to our financial performance later in the year.”