RCN Wales responds to Welsh government’s 5.5% NHS pay award for 2024/25

The Welsh government has today announced a 5.5% pay award for NHS Wales staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, accepting the independent pay review body recommendations in full.

This comes after weeks of anticipation as RCN members in both England and Scotland are voting on NHS pay for 2024/25.

This is a pay award and not an offer, meaning that members working across all bands in the NHS in Wales will receive the pay increase in their pay packets and will be expected later this year.

The award will be backdated to 1 April 2024 and apply to all pay points. Read the full statement on the Welsh government website.

In addition to the 5.5% uplift, the Welsh government has also expressed commitment to adding intermediate pay points at Agenda for Change Bands 8a and above after two years. RCN Wales board and the Trade Union Committee will now consider the award in detail and decide on next steps for members.

Responding to the NHS pay announcement for nursing staff in Wales, Executive Director RCN Wales, Helen Whyley said: “The RCN today welcomes the Welsh government announcement that it will implement the recommendations of the independent pay review body (PRB) for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Wales. Nursing staff have been eagerly awaiting the Welsh government decision since early July, which applies from April 2024.

“The PRB recommendations acknowledge the tireless dedication and essential role of nursing staff, but investment in NHS staff is imperative to fully reflect their contributions and to make the profession attractive to future nurses.

“Last year the Welsh government made a commitment to pay restoration for NHS staff. They must decide how that will be achieved over time. The RCN expects to see a clear route to fair pay restoration – making up for a very serious loss of earnings in the last 15 years. Stagnant salaries at a time of spiralling prices have forced too many to leave and deterred others from joining. Fair pay is vital to recruiting and retaining nursing staff, to filling the thousands of vacant nurse jobs and giving people the care they deserve.

“Nurses are the ever-present, safety critical workforce across the whole of health and care. Our wages do not reflect that, and still won’t after today. We will be pushing the Welsh government to show us their plans for improving NHS pay – it is vital to recruit and retain nursing staff."

RCN members in Wales are urged to check that their details are up to date to ensure they can receive important updates. Head to MyRCN to review and update membership details today.