A method of obtaining a relative indicator for use in scheduling uplink transmissions from a plurality of source user equipments to a base station is disclosed. The relative indicator indicates the status of a user equipment in comparison to the status of the other user equipments, therefore allowing a user equipment to make more efficient scheduling decisions. The method comprises the steps of determining, for each user equipment, a first indicator which is indicative of a status of that user equipment, determining at least one second indicator from the first indicators obtained for all user equipments and broadcasting the or each second indicator to all user equipments. In this way, a significant reduction the downlink signaling load can be achieved.