[UK] Pay rise for NHS social workers in England and Wales

On February 12, it was confirmed that NHS social workers in England and Wales will see their pay rise by 3.3 per cent in 2026-27, Community Care reports.

The UK and Welsh governments accepted the NHS Pay Review Body’s (NHSPRB) recommendations despite the figure being higher than the administrations had planned for.

Unions that boycotted the pay review process this year, however, reportedly claimed that staff would be "angry" at a deal they described as a real-terms pay cut. They criticised ministers for imposing it on staff.

Mike Nesbitt - Northern Ireland's health minister - expressed his desire to implement the 3.3 per cent increase, but stated that it was dependent on the department's budget for 2026-27. In Northern Ireland, most social workers are employed within the NHS, in the region's five health and social care trusts.

Skills for Care found that there were 4,300 filled social worker posts in the NHS in England as of March 2024, the majority of whom held roles in mental health.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, staff are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts. The NHSPRB reportedly makes recommendations each year about their annual pay settlements, and increases are determined by the respective governments.

Source: Community Care

(Link via original reporting)

On February 12, it was confirmed that NHS social workers in England and Wales will see their pay rise by 3.3 per cent in 2026-27, Community Care reports.

The UK and Welsh governments accepted the NHS Pay Review Body’s (NHSPRB) recommendations despite the figure being higher than the administrations had planned for.

Unions that boycotted the pay review process this year, however, reportedly claimed that staff would be "angry" at a deal they described as a real-terms pay cut. They criticised ministers for imposing it on staff.

Mike Nesbitt - Northern Ireland's health minister - expressed his desire to implement the 3.3 per cent increase, but stated that it was dependent on the department's budget for 2026-27. In Northern Ireland, most social workers are employed within the NHS, in the region's five health and social care trusts.

Skills for Care found that there were 4,300 filled social worker posts in the NHS in England as of March 2024, the majority of whom held roles in mental health.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, staff are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts. The NHSPRB reportedly makes recommendations each year about their annual pay settlements, and increases are determined by the respective governments.

Source: Community Care

(Link via original reporting)