NHS Staff to See 3.3% Pay Rise from April, But Unions Say It’s Not Enough
More than 1.4 million National Health Service (NHS) workers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are set to receive a 3.3 per cent pay increase from April. Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that the government will adopt the headline recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body. This uplift is being touted as a “real terms pay rise,” exceeding the Office for Budget Responsibility’s inflation forecast of 2.2 per cent.
This announcement arrives in the wake of significant industrial action, including strikes by junior doctors that disrupted hospital services in the lead-up to Christmas. Mr. Streeting acknowledged the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, stating, “We have listened to the workforce and understand the difficulties they face when pay awards are not delivered on time.” He highlighted the government’s commitment to expediting the pay review process, submitting evidence earlier than in previous years.
Notably, junior doctors have already seen substantial pay increases over the past three years, including a 5.4 per cent hike last year, which was described as the most generous in the public sector. However, this latest offer has drawn criticism from various health unions.
Union Reactions and Concerns
Union leaders have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the proposed 3.3 per cent increase, arguing it falls short of what NHS staff deserve.
UNISON’s Perspective: Helga Pile, UNISON’s head of health, expressed that “Hard-pressed NHS staff will be downright angry at another below-inflation pay award.” She pointed out that for many at the lower end of the pay scale in England, a significant portion of their increase will be absorbed by the need to meet the legal minimum hourly wage. Pile questioned the government’s ambition to make the NHS the “country’s best employer” if it cannot even compete with the wages offered by high street supermarkets.
GMB’s Stance: Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, welcomed the pay rise but was quick to add that it “is just not enough to make up for more than a decade of pay cuts under the Tories.” The union plans to push for more during upcoming “agenda for change” structural talks, asserting that NHS workers deserve better.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s Warning: Jim Fahie, assistant director for employment relations at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, warned that the award would not meet members’ expectations. He stated that the increase is less than last year’s and lower than the current inflation rate, effectively amounting to a real-terms pay cut. This comes at a time when physiotherapists are facing increased workloads due to chronic staff shortages and extensive waiting lists.
Royal College of Midwives’ Disappointment: Gill Walton, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, expressed her disappointment, stating that the government has “let down midwives and maternity support workers yet again.” She argued that without addressing the “unfair pay system,” this real-terms pay cut is an insult to midwives who already work an estimated 100,000 unpaid hours weekly to keep maternity services operational. Walton highlighted that members are tired of broken promises regarding pay and staffing, and their anger is justified.
Unite’s Criticism: Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, expressed disbelief that a Labour government would disregard health unions in decisions regarding NHS pay. She lamented that for too long, NHS workers have been subjected to being “overworked, underpaid and undervalued.”
Government’s Response and Commitment
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the “incredible work of talented staff across our NHS.” They confirmed the government’s intention to work with the NHS Staff Council to reform the Agenda for Change pay structure, with a particular focus on increasing pay for graduates and the lowest-paid staff.
The spokesperson reiterated that the acceptance of the Pay Review Body’s recommendation is part of a broader package aimed at delivering an above-inflation pay increase for the third consecutive year to 1.4 million NHS staff, encompassing roles such as nurses, paramedics, midwives, and hospital porters.
A significant point of emphasis is that this pay boost will be reflected in staff pay packets from the beginning of April, a change that has not occurred for six years. This move is intended to demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring timely salary increases for NHS personnel.
Developments in Scotland
In separate but related news, junior doctors in Scotland have accepted a pay deal that will result in an average pay increase of nearly 10 per cent for the current financial year and a further 9.4 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year. This contrasts with the situation in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, highlighting regional differences in pay negotiations and outcomes.
