GMA RECOMMEND 1.2% PAY RISE

Following research commissioned by the Grounds Management Association, conducted by Myriad Research, a recommendation of a 1.2% increase in pay for all grounds people is being made by the Association.

The GMA said in a statement that while its recommended pay award of 1.2% for all grounds care bands is lower than in previous years, it is "..intended to balance any estimated increase in the cost of living with affordability in what is likely to be a very challenging labour market in 2021."

In addition, the Association also said the the amount paid in recognition of GMA qualifications should increase to £650 per band to ensure that training and professional development remain a priority.

The minimum bands within the Salary Survey reflect recommended starting basic salary payments and are based on a 37.5 hour week. Further details on roles and responsibilities can be found in the GMA’s generic job descriptions, available on request for GMA members.

The full research document, which includes salary breakdowns for generic job description, can be accessed via the GMA portal for all members.

By way of explanation for the pay recommendation the GMA said the findings by Myriad Research show that the UK is on track to record the largest decline in annual GDP for 300 years, with output falling by more than 11 per cent in 2020. Unemployment continues to rise and employers’ intentions to make further redundancies remain elevated,. Adding to an already complicated picture is the remaining uncertainty surrounding the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the economic repercussions of that agreement. Levels of inflation are not expected to align with pre-pandemic forecasts until 2024.