NHS Pay Rise 2026 Live Tracker: Your Guide to Current Progress

What is the latest on the 2026/27 NHS pay rise?

The process for deciding the 2026/27 NHS pay award for staff on Agenda for Change contracts has not yet begun. Based on previous years, we expect the government to make a final announcement in the spring or summer of 2026, with any award backdated to 1 April 2026. This page will be updated as soon as key milestones in the process are reached.

In the meantime, the 2025/26 pay award of 3.6% has been confirmed and will apply to salaries from 1 April 2025. This sets the baseline for the next round of pay discussions.

How the NHS pay award process works

For many NHS staff, the annual pay award isn’t something that just appears. It’s the result of a long, formal process that takes place every year. Understanding it can help you know what to expect, and when.

The system applies to all staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts in England, which includes most staff apart from doctors, dentists, and very senior managers. The devolved nations—Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—have their own distinct processes, though they often follow a similar pattern.

The key player in England is the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB). This is an independent body that advises the government on pay for AfC staff. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the steps involved:

• Evidence gathering: The government, NHS England, and trade unions (like the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON, and GMB) all submit detailed evidence to the PRB. This includes information on inflation, recruitment and retention figures, staff morale, and affordability.
• Deliberation: The PRB considers all this evidence, along with the economic climate, and formulates its recommendations.
• Report to government: The PRB submits a formal report with its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
• Final decision: The government considers the report and makes the final decision on the pay award for that year. It can choose to accept the PRB’s recommendations in full, partially, or reject them entirely.
• Implementation: Once announced, the decision is passed to NHS payroll departments to implement. Because this process takes several months, the new pay rates are almost always backdated to the start of the financial year on 1 April.

A typical timeline for the 2026/27 award

While timings can shift from year to year, the pay review process follows a predictable annual cycle. Here’s what we expect the timeline for the 2026/27 award to look like, based on past experience:

• Autumn 2025: The government and unions will submit their written evidence to the PRB. This is where each side makes its case for what it believes the next pay rise should be.
• Winter 2025/26: The PRB will hold meetings and analyse the data and arguments presented to it.
• Spring 2026: The PRB is expected to deliver its confidential report and recommendations to the government.
• Spring/Summer 2026: The government will announce its decision. This is often the most anticipated moment and usually happens between May and July.
• Summer/Autumn 2026: NHS payroll departments will begin implementing the new pay rates. Any uplift will be backdated to 1 April 2026, so you’ll likely receive a lump sum in your payslip covering the difference for the months already passed.

It's important to remember that this is just a guide. Political events or prolonged negotiations can cause delays.

Context: Previous NHS pay awards

Looking at recent pay awards helps to understand the context for the next round of discussions. The last few years have been particularly eventful, shaped by high inflation and significant industrial action.

• 2023/24: Following widespread strikes, staff received a 5% consolidated pay award plus a one-off, non-consolidated payment of at least £1,655.
• 2024/25: The government accepted the PRB's recommendation for a 5.5% consolidated award.
• 2025/26: A 3.6% consolidated award will take effect from 1 April 2025.

These figures will form the backdrop for the evidence submitted by all parties for the 2026/27 award. Unions will likely argue for an award that addresses the rising cost of living and helps with staff retention, while the government will focus on affordability and public sector finances.

The 2025/26 Agenda for Change pay scales (from 1 April 2025)

The 3.6% pay award for 2025/26 provides the most up-to-date salary figures. Your position on a band depends on your experience, with progression to higher 'spine points' happening after a set number of years. The table below shows the annual salaries for full-time staff (based on a 37.5-hour week) from 1 April 2025.

How a pay rise affects your actual take-home pay

It’s easy to focus on the headline percentage, but what matters is the amount that lands in your bank account. Your gross salary is subject to several deductions, including:

• Income Tax
• National Insurance
• NHS Pension contributions
• Student loan repayments (if applicable)
• Any other deductions like parking permits or union subscriptions

Let's look at a quick example. Consider Ben, a Band 5 paramedic who has been in the role for three years. From April 2025, he is on the second spine point for his band, earning a gross annual salary of £32,324. While the pay rise is a welcome boost to his gross pay, his net (take-home) pay increase will be smaller after deductions are applied.

The exact impact on your payslip depends on your personal circumstances, such as your tax code and pension contribution rate. To get a clearer picture of how a pay rise will affect you personally, it’s helpful to use a dedicated calculator. Our NHS take-home pay calculator is designed to do just that, factoring in all the relevant deductions.

Beyond the annual award: Boosting your NHS income

The annual pay award is a collective uplift, but there are also steps you can take as an individual to increase your earnings. If you’re looking to progress your career and your salary, consider these options:

Climbing the ladder: The most significant way to increase your pay is to secure a promotion to a higher band. This means keeping an eye on job vacancies and being ready to make a strong application. Perfecting your supporting statement is crucial, as it’s your first chance to impress a hiring manager. Tools like our application copilot can help you articulate your skills and experience effectively.

Incremental progression: Don't forget about the spine points within your current band. You will automatically move up to the next point after completing the required number of years in your role, giving you a pay increase separate from the annual award. Check your contract or with HR to confirm your incremental date.

Maximising your current role: Your basic pay is only part of the story. You can also increase your earnings through unsocial hours enhancements (for nights, weekends, and bank holidays), overtime, and taking on extra bank shifts. If you have the capacity, joining your local trust’s staff bank is a flexible way to pick up extra work and income.

Where to find official updates

As the pay review process unfolds, you'll see a lot of speculation in the news and on social media. For reliable, official information, it's best to stick to the primary sources:

• NHS Employers: This organisation represents trusts in England and publishes all the official guidance and pay circulars.
• GOV.UK: The government website is where the final decision on the pay award will be officially announced.
• Your union: Trade unions like the RCN, UNISON, GMB, and others play a central role in the pay process and provide regular updates to their members.

For questions specific to your own pay, your trust's payroll or HR department is always the best port of call.

Key takeaways

• The process to decide the 2026/27 NHS pay award has not yet started. A final decision is expected in mid-2026.
• Any award is almost certain to be backdated to 1 April 2026, with back pay processed a few months after the announcement.
• The process is led by the independent NHS Pay Review Body (PRB), which makes recommendations to the government.
• The most recent confirmed award is a 3.6% uplift for 2025/26, which sets the current pay scales from 1 April 2025.
• To increase your earnings, consider seeking promotion, taking on bank shifts, and ensuring you understand your incremental progression.
• Always refer to official sources like NHS Employers, gov.uk, and your union for the most accurate and up-to-date information.