Welsh government announces pay award following publication of PRB recommendations

The PRB report, outlining their recommendations for NHS pay across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2024/25 was published on 29 July.

The Welsh government has now accepted its recommendations in full for NHS staff in Wales. 

The recommendation is for 5.5 per cent salary uplift for all staff, representing a positive step in the right direction and above all current inflation measures.  

The Welsh government has also accepted the recommendations for the introduction of an intermediate pay spine point for bands 8-9, subject to Welsh Partnership Forum ratification.

Additionally, the Welsh government has committed to working with the UK government about how to take forward the pay review body recommendations on Agenda for Change pay structures.

The pay award - which will be backdated to 1 April – is likely to be made in November payslips.

The CSP's view

The CSP has been dismayed at the delay in the announcement of the pay awards. It is now five months late, and Welsh government delays mean Welsh members must wait longer for their well-deserved pay rises. We hope that in future, there are not unnecessary delays in announcing pay awards.

It is critical that the award is fully funded to protect already overstretched services to patients, and we will seek further clarification on the funding position. 

Adam Morgan, CSP senior negotiating officer, said: 'While we welcome the above inflation award, there is more to be done to restore the value of NHS pay following the significant erosion of pay over the last decade and with the Welsh government's commitment to the principle of pay restoration.

If recruitment and retention is to be addressed, then this government must deliver a future pay strategy that supports the whole NHS workforce and rewards it properly

The CSP’s member-led pay subgroup will now meet to discuss and agree on the next steps.