RCN demands ‘significant reset in pay’ as government starts NHS pay review process for next year

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has written to the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) asking it to make recommendations on NHS pay for 2025-26. This marks the formal start of the pay round process in which the PRB gathers evidence before suggesting what pay award staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England should get from April next year.

In the official remit letter, the health secretary says funds available for a pay rise will be finalised through the spending review announced in the autumn budget. He reiterates the government’s “challenging financial position” and commits to building an NHS fit for the future while ensuring value for taxpayers’ money, too.

Following the outcome of the general election, the government pledged to create a PRB process in which pay awards were announced as close as possible to the start of the financial year. It also said it intended to restore confidence in the PRB process.

RCN members have seen the PRB – which is supposed to be independent – repeatedly undermined by the previous government, with multiple delayed pay rises and budgets constrained. Every month members’ pay is delayed, the nursing community becomes worse off in real terms.

Last week, we announced that two-thirds of the 145,000 members who voted on the current NHS pay award in England rejected the 5.5% pay increase from the UK government.

In response to the remit letter, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: "The same way of working produces the same outcome – one that nursing staff have just said was inadequate. The government must show nurses their voices have been heard and that the way to set their pay is always fair.

“Our members need to see change – a significant reset in pay that demonstrates their value. In setting limits on the budget available for NHS pay, the government is attempting to override the independence of the PRB process once again.

“Shortly after the election, ministers rightly pledged to restore confidence in the PRB. Today, the language of austerity and cost cutting is being used to undermine it. It is not acceptable that our members will receive a delayed pay rise for another consecutive year.

“Nursing staff want to be part of the solution. They will be alarmed by this latest development and our participation cannot now be guaranteed.”