[UK] NHS pay award 2025 to 2026 confirmed

In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed a 3.6 per cent pay rise for NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, backdated to April 1, 2025, GOV.UK reports.

Wes Streeting - the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - has accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies to confirm the pay award for 2025 to 2026 for NHS AfC staff, including nurses, midwives, paramedics, porters, healthcare assistants and clerical workers.

In a letter to AfC staff, Mr Streeting wrote, “As your Health and Social Care Secretary, I know how challenging the last 14 years have been for NHS staff. Agenda for Change (AfC) staff are the backbone of our health service.

“That is why I’m confirming an above-inflation pay rise of 3.6% for all AfC staff for 2025 to 2026, following last year’s 5.5% increase. These back-to-back above-inflation increases represent significant progress in making sure you’re properly recognised for your outstanding work. 

“This means that the band 2 starting salary has increased to £24,465, over £4,000 more than in 2022 to 2023. The band 5 starting salary will now be around £31,050, nearly £4,000 more than 3 years ago - putting real money in your pockets despite the difficult financial situation we inherited.” 

Mr Streeting gave further details of the move, adding, “I’m determined you should receive this money quickly: 

• You’ll see the increase in your pay packets from August, 2 months earlier than last year

• Pay uplifts will be backdated to 1 April 2025 

“We’re committing to getting pay rises to you even more quickly in future years. We will start next year’s pay round in July this year, with an ambition to implement next year’s pay rise as soon as possible in 2026 to 2027.”

Source: GOV.UK

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed a 3.6 per cent pay rise for NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, backdated to April 1, 2025, GOV.UK reports.

Wes Streeting - the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - has accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies to confirm the pay award for 2025 to 2026 for NHS AfC staff, including nurses, midwives, paramedics, porters, healthcare assistants and clerical workers.

In a letter to AfC staff, Mr Streeting wrote, “As your Health and Social Care Secretary, I know how challenging the last 14 years have been for NHS staff. Agenda for Change (AfC) staff are the backbone of our health service.

“That is why I’m confirming an above-inflation pay rise of 3.6% for all AfC staff for 2025 to 2026, following last year’s 5.5% increase. These back-to-back above-inflation increases represent significant progress in making sure you’re properly recognised for your outstanding work. 

“This means that the band 2 starting salary has increased to £24,465, over £4,000 more than in 2022 to 2023. The band 5 starting salary will now be around £31,050, nearly £4,000 more than 3 years ago - putting real money in your pockets despite the difficult financial situation we inherited.” 

Mr Streeting gave further details of the move, adding, “I’m determined you should receive this money quickly: 

• You’ll see the increase in your pay packets from August, 2 months earlier than last year

• Pay uplifts will be backdated to 1 April 2025 

“We’re committing to getting pay rises to you even more quickly in future years. We will start next year’s pay round in July this year, with an ambition to implement next year’s pay rise as soon as possible in 2026 to 2027.”

Source: GOV.UK

(Quotes via original reporting)