If you’re an NHS employee in England, the wait for clarity on your 2025 pay packet is finally over: the government confirmed a 3.6% pay rise for Agenda for Change staff on 22 May 2025, and the first salary showing the uplift—plus three months of back pay—will land in bank accounts this July. This page pulls together the official figures, new pay bands, and a plain‑English breakdown of when and how much you’ll actually receive.
Confirmed AFC pay rise for 2025/26: 3.6% ·
Announcement date: 22 May 2025 ·
Effective date: 1 April 2025 ·
Payment month: July 2025 ·
Resident doctor average increase: 5.4% ·
Minimum AFC salary (Band 1): £24,465
Quick snapshot
- 3.6% Agenda for Change (UK Government)
- Effective April 2025 (Health Media Blog)
- Paid in July 2025 (UK Government)
- New scales for all bands (NHS Employers)
- Band 1 starts at £24,465 (NHS Employers)
- HCAS included (NHS Employers)
- Backdated to 1 April 2025 (calculator)
- Lump sum in July (calculator)
- Use calculator for your band
- Indicative 3.3% for 2026/27 (NHSBands.co.uk)
- Awaiting government decision (NHSBands.co.uk)
- PRB process ongoing (NHSBands.co.uk)
For most AFC staff, the 3.6% uplift means a modest but real increase above current inflation (2.6% CPI as of May 2025). The real financial help, however, is the back‑pay lump sum arriving in July—potentially worth hundreds of pounds depending on your band.
Here is a quick summary of the essential facts.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| AFC pay rise percentage | 3.6% |
| Resident doctor average rise | 5.4% |
| Announcement date | 22 May 2025 |
| Effective from | 1 April 2025 |
| First payment date | July 2025 |
| Lowest AFC salary (Band 1) | £24,465 |
Will NHS staff get a pay rise in 2025?
Confirmed pay rise for 2025/26
Yes. The government formally announced on 22 May 2025 a 3.6% pay rise for all Agenda for Change (AfC) staff in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The award is backdated to 1 April 2025 and will first appear in the July 2025 pay packet. The Department of Health and Social Care stated the rise is “above inflation” and designed to reward NHS staff while supporting recruitment and retention (UK Government pay award document).
Percentage increase details
- Agenda for Change (all bands): 3.6% consolidated increase across the board (NHS Employers pay scales).
- Resident doctors: An average rise of 5.4% (4% consolidated plus a £750 lump‑sum payment, ranging 5.1%–6% depending on grade). The deal was also accepted by the BMA (Health Media Blog).
Impact on different bands
Every AfC band from Band 1 to Band 9 receives the 3.6% uplift. Because the award is flat‑percentage, higher bands see larger absolute increases. For example:
- Band 2 entry point: £24,169 (2025/26) – up from £23,339 (temporary uplift to meet National Minimum Wage) (NursingNotes AfC Bands).
- Band 5 (newly qualified nurse): £32,877 starting point (estimated).
- Band 7 (experienced specialist): ranges from £47,810 to £54,710 (Net-Paid calculator).
What this means: Lower‑paid staff gain the smallest absolute cash amount, but the percentage keeps pace with inflation. The back‑pay element becomes especially important for bands with the tightest margins.
What are the new NHS pay bands?
Overview of band structure
Agenda for Change (AfC) divides NHS staff into nine pay bands (1–9), each with several spinal points for progression. For 2025/26, each band’s minimum and maximum have been increased by 3.6%. Bands 8d, 8e and 9 have been set as one‑year spot rates rather than incremental ranges (NHS Employers).
Band 1 to Band 9 pay scales for 2025/26
The new pay scales reveal a clear ladder: Band 1 floor at £24,465 to Band 9 ceiling exceeding £135,000.
| Band | Minimum annual salary | Maximum annual salary | Spinal points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £24,465 (spot rate) | – | 1 |
| Band 2 | £24,169* | £24,681 | 2 |
| Band 3 | £24,937 | £26,598 | 2 |
| Band 4 | £27,241 | £29,554 | 2 |
| Band 5 | £31,250 | £38,657 | 3 |
| Band 6 | £37,338 | £46,732 | 3 |
| Band 7 | £47,810 | £54,710 | 3 |
| Band 8a | £55,750 | £62,410 | 2 |
| Band 8b | £64,465 | £74,896 | 2 |
| Band 8c | £76,572 | £86,700 | 2 |
| Band 8d | £89,130 (spot) | £98,500 (spot) | 1‑year |
| Band 9 | £135,400 (spot) | – | 1‑year |
*Band 2 entry point includes temporary uplift to meet National Minimum Wage.
HCAS additions
High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) continue to apply to staff working in London and the South East. The new 2025/26 HCAS rates are: inner London 20% of basic salary (min £5,234); outer London 15% (min £4,108); fringe 5% (min £1,138). These are additional to the base pay and are also subject to the 3.6% uplift (NHS Health Careers).
The pattern: HCAS percentages stayed fixed, but the higher base salaries mean the cash supplement rises automatically. London staff will see a noticeable increase in their total take‑home.
Scotland and Wales have their own pay negotiation cycles. Scotland’s Band 5 (0–2 years) reached £50,861 in 2025/26, significantly above England’s £46,148 – a gap that may fuel future pay demands across the border.
How much back pay will NHS staff get?
Back pay calculation method
Back pay covers the period 1 April 2025 to the date the new salary is implemented (assumed 1 July 2025). The amount is calculated as: (new hourly rate – old hourly rate) × contracted hours per month × 3 months. For example, a Band 6 nurse with an hourly increase of roughly £1.50 would receive about £675 gross back pay (JP Medicals example).
Factors affecting amount
- Your pay band and spinal point (higher bands = larger absolute increase).
- Full‑time vs part‑time hours (pro‑rated).
- High Cost Area Supplements – back pay includes the HCAS uplift.
- Any incremental pay progression due during the back‑pay period may also be adjusted.
Using the NHS back pay calculator
Several independent calculators have been updated with the 2025/26 figures. The NursingNotes NHS Pay Rise Calculator lets you input your band, spinal point, and hours to estimate your gross back pay. UNISON also published detailed pay scale PDFs with spot rates for precise manual calculation (UNISON PDF).
The catch: Back pay is subject to income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions at your marginal rate. The net amount you see in July will be lower than the gross figure calculators show – plan accordingly.
- Find your AfC band and spinal point from the new pay scales.
- Calculate your hourly rate increase (new salary/2,076 hours – old salary/2,076 hours).
- Multiply the hourly increase by your monthly contracted hours.
- Multiply that result by 3 (April, May, June).
- Deduct estimated tax (20%/40%), NI (8%/2%) and pension (9.3% for 2015 Scheme).
- Check your July payslip for the final figure.
Following these steps gives you an estimate, but your payslip is the final authority.
What month do NHS staff get their pay rise?
July 2025 payment date
The new pay scales will be implemented in the July 2025 salary. NHS employers typically process the change within two months of the announcement (Health Media Blog). Your July payslip will show the increased salary for that month plus the back‑pay lump sum for the three previous months.
Back‑pay inclusion
Back pay for April, May, and June 2025 will be added as a separate, consolidated lump sum in the same July pay run. There is no need to wait for a separate payment. Resident doctors on the new deal will receive their back pay on the same schedule, though their contract may have slightly different payment dates (BMA pay guidance).
Future pay cycles
From August 2025 onwards, your monthly salary will reflect the new 2025/26 rate without any additional back‑pay element. The standard pay cycle continues – monthly on the last working day of the month.
Why this matters: The July payday is essentially a “double” event – a one‑off cash boost plus a permanently higher base. For those on tight budgets, that lump sum can cover a few months of rising living costs, but it’s not a lasting increase in take‑home after August.
How much will the NHS pay rise in 2026?
Likely increase for 2026/27
The 2026/27 pay round is not yet finalised. However, the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) has published indicative scales showing a 3.3% uplift (NHSBands.co.uk). This would mean a Band 7 (0–2 years) rising to approximately £49,387 from £47,810.
PRB recommendations
The PRB is expected to make its formal recommendation in early 2026, taking into account inflation, NHS staffing pressures, and the financial settlement from the Treasury. Historically, the 2024/25 award was 5.5%, followed by 3.6% for 2025/26. The downward trend reflects easing inflation but also tighter public spending (NHS Pay Review Body – gov.uk).
Current negotiations
Union representatives, including UNISON and the RCN, have already signalled that 3.3% would be insufficient. The BMA may also reopen negotiations if the resident‑doctor deal does not resolve long‑standing issues about pay restoration and working conditions (RCN fair pay campaign).
The implication: Unless the economy shifts dramatically, NHS staff face a lower percentage increase in 2026. The real‑terms value of the award will depend on inflation in Q4 2025. For now, planning your household budget around 3%‑ish is safer than assuming a repeat of 2024’s 5.5%.
A lower 2026 award would save the Treasury roughly £1–2 billion annually, but risks reigniting industrial action. The BMA has warned that resident doctors could ballot for further strikes if the 2026 deal fails to match the pay restoration trajectory they seek.
The outcome will depend on inflation and Treasury decisions, making 2026 a pivotal year for NHS pay.
Timeline: Key dates for the 2025/26 NHS pay award
- 22 May 2025: Government announces 3.6% pay rise for AfC staff and 5.4% for resident doctors (UK Government).
- 1 April 2025: Pay rise effective (backdated).
- July 2025: First pay packets include rise and back pay.
- Ongoing 2025/26: New pay scales applied to monthly salaries.
- Early 2026: PRB recommendations for 2026/27 expected.
Timeline signal: The gap between announcement and payment (two months) is standard, but the back‑pay element means the effective date was always April, giving staff no loss in total compensation.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- 3.6% increase for AfC staff in 2025/26 (UK Government)
- Resident doctors receive 5.4% average increase (Health Media Blog)
- Back pay from April 2025 paid in July 2025
- New pay scales published by NHS Employers (NHS Employers)
- Band 1 minimum salary £24,465 (Net-Paid)
What’s unclear
- Exact 2026/27 pay rise percentage (indicative 3.3% but not final)
- Whether resident doctor strikes will affect future awards
- Individual back‑pay amounts depend on band, spinal point, and hours
“I’m confirming an above‑inflation pay rise of 3.6% for all AfC staff for 2025 to 2026.”
Government announcement, 22 May 2025 (UK Government pay award document)
“Pay scales for 2025/26 – annual salary bands and hourly rates.”
NHS Employers pay scales page (NHS Employers)
“Detailed spot rates for each band and spinal point.”
UNISON PDF pay scales (UNISON PDF)
For NHS staff on AfC contracts, the 2025/26 award delivers a real‑terms pay increase above current inflation, with the July lump sum providing immediate cash flow relief. For a Band 5 nurse in London, the choice is clear: the 3.6% base plus HCAS covers rising rent and transport costs in the short term, but without a stronger 2026 award, the profession may see the next wave of departures to private sector or locum work.
For NHS workers, the 2025/26 award provides immediate back‑pay relief but sets a cautious tone for next year. The government’s decision on 2026 will be critical for staff retention.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NHS pay rise for 2025/26?
A 3.6% consolidated increase for all Agenda for Change staff in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, effective from 1 April 2025. Resident doctors receive an average 5.4% increase.
When is the NHS pay rise effective?
Backdated to 1 April 2025. The new rates will first appear in the July 2025 pay packet.
How is back pay calculated for NHS staff?
Back pay equals the difference between old and new hourly rates multiplied by your contracted hours per month, times three months (April–June). Tax, NI, and pension contributions are deducted from the lump sum.
Will the NHS pay rise affect my pension?
Yes – the increase is consolidated into your basic pay, so your pensionable earnings rise. Both your contributions and your future pension benefits will increase accordingly.
Are part‑time NHS staff eligible for the full pay rise?
Yes. The 3.6% increase applies to your actual salary (pro‑rated for hours). Back pay is also pro‑rated.
Is the NHS pay rise taxable?
Yes. Both the new higher salary and the back‑pay lump sum are subject to income tax and National Insurance at your marginal rate.
How do I find my new pay band salary?
Use the official 2025/26 pay scales published by NHS Employers or the UNISON pay scales PDF. Independent calculators like NursingNotes also provide quick estimates.
Will there be a pay rise for NHS staff in 2026?
Indicative scales suggest a 3.3% increase for 2026/27, but this is not final. The PRB will make its recommendation in early 2026.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.