Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
I am pleased to announce I am today accepting the recommendations made by the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) from 1 April 2026.
The NHSPRB recommended a 3.3% consolidated uplift effective from 1 April 2026 for all Agenda for Change pay points. Staff employed under these terms and conditions include nurses, cleaners, porters, and healthcare support workers.
The NHSPRB economic analysis shows this uplift is above the current inflation forecasts for both the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR expects the rate of inflation to have peaked by the third quarter of 2025 and to fall progressively to the 2% target in quarter one 2027.
In accepting these NHSPRB recommendations, we are committed to:
- Uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change staff by 3.3% on a consolidated basis, effective from 1 April 2026.
- The Welsh Government has already announced its intention to pay the real living wage (Living Wage Foundation rate) from 1 April 2026. This means the increase for the lowest-paid NHS staff will range from 3.8% to 5.9% as a result, significantly above inflation.
As part of the overall pay package, alongside accepting the NHSPRB recommendation about pay, we will continue to progress tri-nation with the NHS Staff Council to agree and implement improvements to the Agenda for Change pay structure.
These will build on the constructive discussions to date with unions about a multi-year, funded mandate for Agenda for Change structural reforms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our priorities for structural reform include improving pay for the lowest paid staff and graduate pay. Once agreed, these reforms will be effective from, and backdated to, April 2026.
I would like to extend my thanks to all NHS staff in Wales for their dedication and hard work. Your commitment to providing exceptional care and services is truly appreciated.