BT Group, the leading telecom operator in the UK, today announced plans for a UK Cost of Living Pay Rise to all but the highest paid staff.

BT CEO Philip Jansen, presenting the company’s half year results, has indicated about his intention to offer an increase.

BT conducted discussions with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Prospect and both unions recommended an agreement.

Details of the Cost of Living Pay Rise

# £1,500 pay rise for all UK colleagues who currently earn £50,000 or less from 1 Jan 2023
# Consolidated salary increase, not one-off payment
# Covers 100 percent of frontline staff (and others at Team Member grade), and 51 percent of managers in the UK. In total, 85 percent of UK-based BT Group colleagues
# Highly competitive pay award when combined with the increase made in April, bringing the total percentage pay rise for the lowest paid to over 15 percent since this time last year
# Includes Openreach

CWU and Prospect will run ballots recommending people vote in favour. The outcome of those ballots will be announced in mid-December, and in the case of the CWU would end industrial action if members are supportive.

BT has committed to still run a 2023 pay review for UK colleagues but this will move to September 2023 and take into account the January Cost of Living Pay Rise.

“We agreed with both our union partners that we will all lean into the opportunities and challenges the future will bring, specifically our transformation plans and the delivery of the £3 billion cost savings by the end of FY25,” Philip Jansen said.