Pay · 7 min read

Civil Service pay grades and pay remit explained

EO, HEO, SEO and Grade 7 pay ranges, spine progression and how annual pay remit affects civil servants.

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Grades and bands

Civil Service roles are structured in grades such as EO (Executive Officer), HEO (Higher Executive Officer), SEO (Senior Executive Officer) and Grade 7. Each grade has a pay band with minimum, maximum and spine points. Departments place you on a point within the band on appointment or promotion.

Pay remit and progression

Each year the Cabinet Office publishes pay remit guidance setting the average award departments can apply, with flexibility for low pay and scarce skills. Incremental progression within your band is separate: you may move up a spine point subject to departmental performance policy while also receiving remit awards.

London and allowances

London weighting and recruitment and retention allowances vary by department and location. They are not always in published spine data. Use allowances calculators where available and your department pay guide for exact figures.