Industrial action at the government’s surveyors office is expected to lead to a backlog in council tax and business rates valuation work following a dispute over pay. Financial Times

Around 900 members of the trade union Prospect who work at the Valuation Office Agency have voted overwhelmingly to strike over the 2007 pay award. Prospect warned that backlogs could be expected in the work of the VOA, an executive agency of Revenue & Customs that values property for tax purposes.

The union said last year’s 1.25 per cent pay rise was below inflation, seven months late and behind civil service colleagues. Around 85 per cent voted in favour of two protest days, refusal to work overtime and use of full break time.