Pay: Council IT workers get bigger rise than private sector

Pay rises for local authority IT staff are outpacing those in the private sector, according to a survey by user group Socitm.

The survey found average IT worker salaries in local authorities have increased by 4.8 per cent compared with an average 3.5 per cent increase in the private sector.

Staff working in county councils and London boroughs received an average six per cent increase, while staff in inner-London authorities hit the jackpot with average increases of 8.5 per cent. But, at the other end of the scale, the lowest average increases have gone to housing associations (3.4 per cent) and Scottish and Irish authorities (3.6 per cent).

But there are still differences between private and public sector salary levels, the report says. Last year's report showed that IT directors in London and the south east were being paid up to 86 per cent of the salary of counterparts in the private sector, and "by and large this position has been maintained", this year's report said.

Fringe benefits and flexible working are still seen as key for authorities unable to compete with the private sector on salaries alone, with more than nine out of 10 offering flexible working hours.

Sixty-six per cent allow some staff to work from home (up from 27 per cent last year), 84 per cent offer job sharing and nearly three quarters have a structured training and development plan for all staff. And some - particularly in London - offer bonuses.

Andy Roberts, chair of Socitm's member services group said the survey shows that local government can put together a compelling package to attract high quality IT staff: "In choosing an ICT job, salary is just one consideration. Job satisfaction, work-life balance, career development and a quality pension scheme are also key factors in the overall reward package."

The survey is based on responses from 140 local authorities - around one in three of the total - covering around 7,000 staff.

Socitm found use of contract staff is increasing, with all metropolitan boroughs and four out of five county councils having used contract staff during the last 12 months, compared to only 44 per cent of district councils.