Reading: what their redundancy policy pays
Sourced from Reading's own published policy, retrieved 2026-08-19.
Reading's own policy
Published as Reading Borough Council Pay Policy Statement 2025/26.
Reading's policy states: up to 2 x statutory redundancy formula, capped at 52 weeks' pay. This is calculated on your actual weekly pay, not the statutory weekly pay cap. The policy caps discretionary compensation at 52 weeks' pay.
"Redundancy payments under regulation 5 of the Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) (England & Wales) Regulations 2006 provide discretion to pay up to an overall lump sum of 2 times the statutory redundancy payment formula based on actual weeks' pay, capped at 52 weeks' pay (may be adjusted following consultation). This is payable to employees made redundant with 2 or more years continuous service regardless of their age."
Like every local authority, Reading sets this policy under its own discretion (regulation 6 of the 2006 Regulations, below) and can amend it. Read the document itself rather than relying on this summary alone: Reading Borough Council Pay Policy Statement 2025/26, retrieved 2026-08-19.
A note on this figure: Discretionary compensation can be reduced where an offer of suitable alternative employment is deemed to have been unreasonably refused.
A note on these figures: the policy details below are published fromReading's own linked source document and are correct to our knowledge as at 2026-08-19. Treat them as indicative, read the source document for yourself, and check your own offer against it. Read how our figures are checked.
How this compares with the statutory minimum
Every employee with at least two years' service is entitled to statutory redundancy pay regardless of what their employer's own policy says. As at 6 April 2026, that is calculated using a week's pay capped at £751, up to a maximum of £22,530 for 20 years' service at age 41 or over.
Reading's discretionary policy sits on top of that statutory floor, not instead of it: the statutory redundancy payment is calculated first, and the council's own enhancement (above) applies in addition, on the basis stated in its policy document.
LGPS and early pension access
Under regulation 30(7) of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013, an LGPS member aged 55 or over who is dismissed for redundancy or business efficiency is entitled to immediate payment of their pension, rather than waiting until normal pension age. This is separate from, and on top of, any redundancy payment above.
Reading's own policy adds: LGPS Regulation 16 additional pension may be awarded to members dismissed by reason of redundancy or business efficiency, up to the additional pension limit (£6,500 from 1 April 2014, subject to annual increase); resolution to award must be made within 6 months of termination.
Source: LGPS Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2356), regulation 30(7). Read the regulations. This does not compute a pension figure; it states the rule only, and does not replace advice from your pension fund.
Settlement agreements at Reading
Where a council wants to agree enhanced terms, confirm the LGPS position, or resolve a related dispute alongside a redundancy, it is often documented in a settlement agreement rather than a plain redundancy letter. A settlement agreement is only legally binding once you have received advice on its terms from a relevant independent adviser such as a solicitor, and your employer is usually required to contribute to the cost of that advice.
Before you sign anything, work out what Reading's own policy and the statutory minimum add up to on their own, so you can see what a settlement offer is actually adding.
Related
Get your redundancy offer reviewed
A relevant independent adviser, such as a solicitor, can check how Reading's offer compares with your statutory entitlement and their own policy before you sign anything. Your employer is usually required to contribute to the cost.