[UK] Pay deal gives construction workers wage bumps and extra holiday

In the UK, the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has confirmed new minimum pay rates for construction workers covered by the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, Scaffmag reports.

The changes will be in effect from July 20, 2026.

The agreement was reportedly reached between employer organisations and trade unions. It establishes the minimum rates of pay and employment conditions across much of the UK construction industry. 

It has particular relevance for scaffolding contractors and other employers operating under the CIJC agreement. Under the new rates, the Craft Rate will increase to £16.40 per hour, the equivalent of £639.60 for a 39-hour week.

From July 20, other minimum hourly rates are as follows:

• General Operative: £13.18

• Skill Rate 4: £13.30

• Skill Rate 3: £14.07

• Skill Rate 2: £15.04

• Skill Rate 1: £15.61

In addition, apprentice pay will increase, with first-year apprentices receiving £8.29 an hour, rising to £8.80 in year two and £10.27 in year three before achieving NVQ Level 2.

Apprentices who have achieved NVQ Level 2 will receive £13.13 an hour, while those who have completed training with NVQ Level 3, or completed with NVQ Level 2 under the agreement, will receive the full Craft Rate of £16.40 an hour.

Employers are reminded that statutory minimum wage legislation continues to apply. Apprentices aged 19 to 20 in their second or final year must receive at least the National Minimum Wage of £10.85 an hour, while those aged 21 and over must receive at least the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour. Both rates have been in force since 1 April 2026 and are enforceable by HMRC.

The agreement includes improvements to annual leave over the next two years. From January 1, 2027, annual holiday entitlement will increase by four hours, taking the total to 23.5 days. 

A further four hours will be added from January 1, 2028, increasing entitlement to 24 days, together with the usual eight bank holidays.

In cases where giving the additional half-day holiday is difficult to manage, employers will be permitted to make a payment in lieu of the extra four hours during 2027 only, before the full entitlement becomes standard from 2028.

The revised rates and allowances will reportedly come into effect on July 20, 2026, for employers and operatives covered by the CIJC Working Rule Agreement.

Source: Scaffmag

In the UK, the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has confirmed new minimum pay rates for construction workers covered by the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, Scaffmag reports.

The changes will be in effect from July 20, 2026.

The agreement was reportedly reached between employer organisations and trade unions. It establishes the minimum rates of pay and employment conditions across much of the UK construction industry. 

It has particular relevance for scaffolding contractors and other employers operating under the CIJC agreement. Under the new rates, the Craft Rate will increase to £16.40 per hour, the equivalent of £639.60 for a 39-hour week.

From July 20, other minimum hourly rates are as follows:

• General Operative: £13.18

• Skill Rate 4: £13.30

• Skill Rate 3: £14.07

• Skill Rate 2: £15.04

• Skill Rate 1: £15.61

In addition, apprentice pay will increase, with first-year apprentices receiving £8.29 an hour, rising to £8.80 in year two and £10.27 in year three before achieving NVQ Level 2.

Apprentices who have achieved NVQ Level 2 will receive £13.13 an hour, while those who have completed training with NVQ Level 3, or completed with NVQ Level 2 under the agreement, will receive the full Craft Rate of £16.40 an hour.

Employers are reminded that statutory minimum wage legislation continues to apply. Apprentices aged 19 to 20 in their second or final year must receive at least the National Minimum Wage of £10.85 an hour, while those aged 21 and over must receive at least the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour. Both rates have been in force since 1 April 2026 and are enforceable by HMRC.

The agreement includes improvements to annual leave over the next two years. From January 1, 2027, annual holiday entitlement will increase by four hours, taking the total to 23.5 days. 

A further four hours will be added from January 1, 2028, increasing entitlement to 24 days, together with the usual eight bank holidays.

In cases where giving the additional half-day holiday is difficult to manage, employers will be permitted to make a payment in lieu of the extra four hours during 2027 only, before the full entitlement becomes standard from 2028.

The revised rates and allowances will reportedly come into effect on July 20, 2026, for employers and operatives covered by the CIJC Working Rule Agreement.

Source: Scaffmag