EAST Lancashire's council's have set aside cash for a two per cent pay rise for their staff which falls far short of the money expected to honour the local government employers' offer.

The full cost of the increase - which would mean an extra 10 per cent in the pockets of the lowest-paid workers - is expected to add around seven per cent on the authorities wages bills.

This has raised fears within the two main local government unions UNISON and Unite, that the money included in the budgets of Blackburn with Darwen's all-purpose authority, Lancashire County Council and the area's five district council's is inadequate.

One Unite source said: "The national employers offer isn't enough, so East Lancashire councils' budgeted increases certainly aren't."

A UNISON source said: "It does not look enough to pay for the initial offer let alone if a bigger rise is eventually negotiated."

The National Employers for Local Government Services have made a flat rate offer of £1,925 for 2022/23 will result in a pay increase for staff of between 1.7 per cent and 10.5. per cent with the lowest paid getting the larger increases.

But Blackburn with Darwen Borough, Lancashire County, and Hyndburn Councils have all set aside just two per cent extra in their budgets for 2022/23.

Ribble Valley Council has included the money for a two per cent rise with a further one per cent contingency sum.

Burnley and Rossendale have budgeted for a 2.5 per cent pay increase and Pendle council for 2.25 per cent.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's finance boss Cllr Vicky McGurk, said: “We calculate the pay offer will mean have to find an additional £3.5million this year. Without employing and retaining good staff we can’t deliver anything for residents. It’s really important that we can pay people properly, especially in the lower-paid roles.”

Cllr Alan Vincent, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Discussions are still ongoing at a national level between the employers’ and union representatives.

“We are following closely and carefully considering the implications, alongside other budget pressures.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "It is fair to say that it will cost much more than the overall amount we had budgeted for.”

UNISON North-West regional organiser, Sue Glithero said: “UNISON will be consulting members on the pay offer over the coming weeks”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Most local government workers are being offered yet another pay cut masquerading as a pay increase.

“Highly-skilled and experienced workers are leaving in droves as they are undervalued and struggling to make ends meet."