Local government across the UK is facing increasing workforce pressures, driven by demographic change, labour market competition, rising service demand, and constrained employment frameworks. These challenges are particularly acute for Councils, which must recruit, retain, and develop skilled staff while operating within fixed pay structures and high levels of public and political scrutiny.
In response, the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) was commissioned to undertake an evidence-based assessment of workforce challenges facing Councils in Northern Ireland. The report examines recruitment and retention pressures, skills capacity, and the practical constraints shaping workforce decisions, drawing on a combination of literature review, Council survey data, and in-depth consultations with senior leaders and HR practitioners.