THREE unions representing 1.4 million local government and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland presented employers with an inflation-busting pay claim for 12.7 per cent today.

The GMB, Unison and Unite said a significant pay award from the start of April is vital after years of local authority spending cuts and pay restraint.

Unison head of local government Mike Short said: “Council and school workers keep communities safe, educate future generations and look after the most vulnerable.