Payrise in civil service (DfE specifically)

[NewToAllThisStuff]

I'm looking at a job in DfE. It's slightly lower pay than what I'm currently on in the private sector, however I've not had a payrise in my current job in the past 3 years.
So my question is for those who work in civil service (DfE specifically), have you had an annual payrise in recent years? (the advertisement I'm looking at is grade 7 if that makes any difference)
TIA

I am not DfE but a G7 in another department. We have just been awarded a 4.5% increase. If you move into Civil Service you will likely be paid at the lowest point of the pay band but it is likely that lowest point will just have increased as I think most departments have awarded pay rises.

Thanks for the reply. I’m torn about whether or not to apply. (I know there’s nothing to lose as such in applying)

Lowest pay on grade 7 is already 2.5k below my current salary plus I get roughly 5k bonus each year. Appreciate the pension benefits though of civil service.

just trying to figure out how long it would take to be back up to my current salary. I’m not overly ambitious so have no drive for promotions etc

In my department we (ridiculously imo) don’t move up through the bands of the grade. So if you’re new you’d start at the bottom band of grade 7 but not move up, only by the inflationary increase each year, so you’d only really get a real pay rise if you get promotion to band 6.
very strange coming from another public sector body where you automatically moved up the bands of your grade every year til you reached the top.
so worth checking which applies at DfE

I think for most it is about what else the Civil Service can offer. It isn't just the pension but also the sick leave, annual leave, maternity policies, flexible working which are all part of the package. It is a long time since I worked in the private sector but I remember how inflexible it used to be - however I imagine things have massively improved so some of those benefits probably aren't worth what they were.
As pp said there is no longer moving up the bands in either of the departments I have recently worked in which means pay can be fairly static without promotion.

My employers are very flexible. It’s the only positive thing about it. I can come and go as I please and get more annual leave than civil service.
And as I say, I don’t foresee promotions etc, it’s just annual pay rise I’d be hoping for (we’ve not had anything for years)

It’s swings and roundabouts. But I’m desperate to get out of my current organisation- I hate it