Making the case for better NHS pay

Progress has been made on pay across much of the UK in 2024, but as the year closes, the situation remains unresolved in Northern Ireland.

Governments responsible for the NHS in England and Wales both awarded a 5.5 per cent increase, in line with the recommendations of the independent pay review body (PRB).

Surveys in each country showed strong majorities of our members in favour of the awards, which the CSP views as just the beginning of the journey towards making up the ground lost over the past decade.

In Scotland, meanwhile, the same outcome was reached after an offer by the government was accepted by health unions, including the CSP, after consultation with members.

Again, CSP members were strongly in favour of the offer. 

The awards in England and Wales are a reasonable step forward, with the same increase having been negotiated in Scotland. 

That said, the PRB and Scottish government must build on this over the coming years as members look to restore their purchasing power and standard of living.

Northern Ireland

There remains no update on the situation in Northern Ireland with the administration not having the budget to allow the implementation of the awards seen in England and Wales.

‘This is a deeply frustrating situation and the CSP is joining other unions in lobbying hard for progress, particularly in light of the strikes held earlier this year,’ said Claire Ronald, the CSP’s senior negotiating officer for Northern Ireland.

‘Unions are considering next steps and the CSP will continue to communicate with members in Northern Ireland as we decide on any action required.

‘It is frustrating to see Northern Ireland fall behind the other regions again. It is hard for staff to feel valued and respected in this situation.’

Against the backdrop of pay awards and offers, there remains ongoing work with governments in England, Scotland and Wales to address non-pay factors, such as staffing levels, retention and career progression.

It is hoped that tangible outcomes from these discussions will emerge in 2025.

2025-26

Looking ahead to next year, the CSP has pushed for a fair, above-inflation pay rise through the 2025/26 PRB process in England and Wales and will look to negotiate this in Scotland.

In a clear win for unions, the UK’s government’s remit letter to the PRB pushed for more timely recommendations in future years to avoid the delays seen more recently in delivering pay increases from 1 April.

The 2025 award is still expected to be late, but less so than in previous years, and the guidance in the remit letter represents another example of a clear reset in relations between the government and unions.

The government’s Employment Rights Bill is currently working its way through parliament and, when passed, will represent the biggest improvement in workplace rights in a generation.

Anti-union legislation that severely restricts the right to strike is also being ripped up, while changes are being proposed as to the balloting process that should rebalance industrial relations back towards workers. Visit the CSP pay and conditions pages.