Stipend Review for 2027 recommendations
The recommendation from the Ministers’ Stipend Committee, and endorsed by the GA’s Executive Committee, is that there is a 3.4% uplift in Ministers’ stipends from 1 January 2027. The figures showing the new minimum recommended stipend can be found in Table 1, below.
Background
Inflation
The latest available figures from the Office of National Statistics for December 2025 (released Jan 2026) were:
CPIH +3.4% (+2.5% in 2025)
(CPIH is now the main UK measure of consumer domestic price inflation.)
In its December 2025 Monetary Policy Committee report, the Bank of England stated – CPI inflation has fallen since the previous meeting, to 3.2%. Although above the 2% target, it is now expected to fall back towards target more quickly in the near term. Reflecting restrictive monetary policy, and consistent with evidence of subdued economic growth and building slack in the labour market, pay growth and services price inflation have continued to ease. Monetary policy is being set to ensure CPI inflation settles sustainably at 2% in the medium term, which involves balancing the risks around achieving this. The risk from greater inflation persistence has become somewhat less pronounced since the previous meeting, while the risk to medium-term inflation from weaker demand remains.
Other denominations overview
United Reformed Church: from 1 January 2026: £35,220
Congregational Federation: from 1 January 2026: £36,516
Baptist Union Home Mission stipend: from 1 January 2026: £30,405
Church of England (National Benchmark Stipend): £33,350- £34,950
Office Holders
We recommend that, if possible, a congregation will pay as a minimum Statutory Sick Pay and family allowances (maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental) if the minister meets the qualifying criteria for them and grant their ministers a length of notice of termination based upon their service and pay redundancy pay according to the statutory norm at the time of their leaving.
Housing Provision
The provision of housing for the minister is part of the normal conditions of service, and congregations should plan to rent suitable accommodation if a manse is not available. For the avoidance of doubt, this should be paid to the minister in addition to their stipend, or the congregation should rent the property directly on the minister’s behalf. This should reflect the local rental market; the manse provision costs below are a guide, not a set rate.
Pension Contribution relating to manse provision costs
When calculating the contribution for the Ministers Pension Fund, the stipend figure plus manse costs should be used, even if the congregation owns a manse or rents a property directly. To try to bring an element of consistency the following figures are provided, and these will increase by the national stipend award each year.
| Current | 2027 | |
| Provincial | £ 7,687 | £7,948 |
| LDPA area | £11,275 | £11,658 |
| London postcodes | £11,275 | £11,658 |
Resettlement Grants and Removal Costs
Currently £3,700 is payable in addition to removal contractors’ charges. The resettlement grant is taxable and subject to NIC unless it is payable against actual bills provided by the Minister. For further information, consult HM Revenue & Customs booklet 480.
Where a personal vehicle is used for removals, mileage allowances should be claimed at General Assembly rate. If a removal contractor is used, the claim must be substantiated by receipts and the charge be the lowest of three quotations.
Mileage Allowance
Mileage allowance is in line with HMRC rules.
Cars: 45p/mile
Motorcycles: 24p/mile.
Pedal cycles: 20p/mile
Public Transport rate 30p/mile (Reimbursed at actual cost)
Pulpit Supply
The recommended remuneration rate for worship leaders is now a range of between £65- £125 plus expenses, which is still a minimum rate. If congregations are able to pay more, they are encouraged to do so. It is recommended that special fees should be negotiated for special occasions as Anniversary Services, where additional preparation is required. Fees should always be offered and claimed in full.
Table 1: Current scales (payable from 1 January 2026) with 3.4% increase for 2027
| From 1/1/26 | From 1/1/27 | Increase of | |
| Ministers | |||
| Yrs 1-5 | £31,633 | £32,708 | £1075 |
| Yrs 6-10 | £32,612 | £33,720 | £1108 |
| Yrs 10 plus | £34,032 | £35,189 | £1157 |
| Lay Pastors | |||
| Yrs 1-5 | £27,740 | £28,408 | £668 |
| Yrs 6-10 | £28,601 | £29,573 | £972 |
| Yrs 10 plus | £29,850 | £30,864 | £1014 |
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