The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC), whose remit includes agreeing rates of wages and other salaries and fees for building and civil engineering operatives, has published an amendment to the Working Rule Agreement setting the basic minimum pay rates from Monday 20th July 2026.
In summary:
Basic Pay Rates
- General Operative weekly base rate has increased to £514.02
- Skill Rate 4 weekly rate has increased to £518.70
- Skill Rate 3 weekly rate has increased to £548.73
- Skill Rate 2 weekly rate has increased to £586.56
- Skill Rate 1 weekly rate has increased to £608.79
- Craft Rate weekly rate has increased to £639.60
Apprentice Rates
- Year 1: £323.31/week
- Year 2: £343.20/week
- Year 3 without NVQ2: £400.53/week
- Year 3 with NVQ2: £512.07/week
- Year 3 with NVQ3: £639.60/week
- On completion with NVQ2: £639.60/week
Employers should note that where an apprentice is in their second or final year of training and aged between 19 and 20, the National Minimum Wage must apply. For apprentices aged 21 and over in their second or final year, the National Living Wage must apply. Both are enforceable by HMRC. As of 1st April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for apprentices aged 19 to 20 is £10.85 per hour, and the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour.
Other Key Changes
- Subsistence allowance has increased to £53.69 per night (WR.15)
- Industry sick pay (in addition to SSP) has increased to £174.66 per week (WR.20)
Annual Holiday (WR.18)
- From 1st January 2027, annual holiday entitlement will increase to 23.5 days (an addition of 4 hours). Where managing the additional half day is operationally problematic, a payment in lieu may be made for 2027 only
- From 1st January 2028, a further 4 hours will be added, bringing the total entitlement to 24 days plus 8 bank holidays
Full details of the settlement, including the updated daily fare and travel allowances, are set out in the promulgation document: CIJC Pay Promulgation 2026
