The Executive Council on Tuesday approved an across-the-board pay rise of 2.5 percent for all civil servants.

According to the announcement made by the Civil Service Bureau, Exco had taken staff responses to the pay proposal as well as factors such as the local economic condition, government finances and civil service morale into consideration.

A government spokesperson says with uncertainties in the local economy, officials have to handle the pay issue with caution.

The salary adjustment will be backdated to April 1, 2022. It now goes to Legco for scrutiny, and the government says it hopes staff will receive back pay and new salary levels in August.