Our reshaped pay and grading structure
If you are in current Grades 1 to 5, the reshaped structure will be implemented on 31 October 2025 with an effective date of 1 October 2025.
How the pay and grading structure has changed
The reshaped structure is a simplified version of the current National Joint Council (NJC) pay structure.
The current Grades 1 to 5 will be replaced by Grades A to D.
Why our grades have changed from numeric (Grades 1 to 7) to letters (Grade A to D)
Current Grades 1 and 2 have been merged, so we needed to consider what to call the new grades.
Moving from numbers to letters allowed for this, and supported our approach to reshaping the structure, and updating a system that has not been reviewed for some time. It also provides a clear way of distinguishing between the 2 structures to avoid any confusion.
Benefits of the reshaped structure
Most colleagues will benefit from the move to the reshaped structure when it is implemented.
Higher salary increases
You will receive a higher salary increase each year until you reach the top spinal column point (SCP) of your grade. The exception is the move from SCP 24 to SCP 25, which will be the only single-step increment remaining in the reshaped structure.
Faster progression
You will reach the top SCP (and maximum salary) of your grade within 5 years from when the reshaped pay and grading structure is implemented.
To make the changes clearer, we have produced pay progression tables that show the current SCPs and the new SCPs for each existing grade.
Download the pay progression tables
If you still have questions, email: tellmemore@birmingham.gov.uk
Benefits by grade
Grade 1
If you are currently working in a Grade 1 role, you will see a significant benefit, with 4 more steps on the pay scale in Grade A.
Grade 2
If you are currently in Grade 2, you will benefit with 2 more steps on the pay scale in Grade A.
Grades 3 and 5
There will be higher starting salaries for Grades B, C and D (current Grades 3, 4 and 5), so if your salary is lower than the new minimum you will receive an immediate increase when the reshaped structure is implemented.
Grades 1 to 5
If you are currently working in a Grade 1 to 5 role, you will benefit from a higher maximum salary in Grades A to D.
Moving to the reshaped structure
If you are in Grades 1 to 5, you will move to the reshaped structure when it is implemented:
|
Current grade |
Equivalent grade in the reshaped structure |
|---|---|
|
1 |
A |
|
2 |
|
| 3 |
B |
|
4 |
C |
|
5 |
D |
For most colleagues in Grades 1 to 5, there will be no immediate change. You will move to the reshaped structure on your current SCP and your current salary.
For some, this will mean being below the starting SCP of your equivalent grade. If this is the case, you will move to the new starting SCP and receive the associated salary increase.
If your current salary is below the new starting salary
The reshaped pay and grading structure is being implemented on 31 October 2025, with an effective date of October 2025.
If you are due an increase in salary as a result of this change, you will receive a letter confirming this.
Any increase will be reflected from your November pay, and will be backdated to 1 October 2025
When and how you will find out about your new salary
Colleagues who move across to a new starting salary on their equivalent grade will receive a letter to confirm the increase in salary.
All letters will be sent by the end of October 2025.
If you do not receive a notification or letter
All colleagues should receive a notification of the move to the reshaped structure for colleagues in Grades 1 to 5, by email or letter.
If you do not receive notification, speak to your line manager or email: tellmemore@birmingham.gov.uk
How the reshaped structure is different
There are fewer grades in the reshaped structure
We are committed to remaining a Real Living Wage employer.
To keep up with the Real Living Wage, Grades 1 and 2 will merge to become Grade A, which means there will be one grade less in the reshaped structure.
The reshaped structure will start at SCP 3. SCP 2 has been removed as part of this year’s national pay awards, so the reshaped structure will start at SCP 3 (the top of current Grade 1 and the bottom of current Grade 2).
This means that we do not need both grades.
There are fewer SCPs in the reshaped structure
There are no more than 6 SCPs in each grade in the reshaped structure.
This means if you are in Grades A and D, you will reach the top of your grade within 4 years of implementation.
If you are in Grades B and C, it will take no more than 5 years from when the new structure is implemented to reach the top of your grade.
This is generally accepted as the maximum for a progressive employer.
Page last updated: 24 October 2025
