Thousands of DWP workers to vote on strikes over pay

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said 50,000 of its members at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be balloted in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.

The union members work in Jobcentres, universal credit service centres, personal independence payment centres, pension centres and child maintenance offices.

The PCS said there are 25,000 workers in the lowest three pay grades whose salaries will all be at the national living wage as of April, claiming there us a recruitment crisis in the department.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Strike action is always the last resort. Our members want to work. They are proud of the job they do in DWP because they know it’s of great value to society, but this level of poverty pay is not sustainable.

“Members across the department have told us that they are struggling financially as debt spirals, and as workplace stress increases, people’s mental health further deteriorates.

“The functioning of the welfare state depends on our members’ hard work and good will, but DWP has some of the lowest paid members in the civil service, paid well below the market value for their skilled work.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring competitive pay for all employees and we have listened to feedback from trade unions, which helped influence the final offer and considered the upcoming national living wage increase.

“The current pay award reflects our ongoing efforts to balance various priorities and meet our staffing needs.”

Published: 19/01/2026 by Radio NewsHub