UK government proposes 2.4% pay rise for NHS staff

The UK government has proposed a 2.4% pay uplift for nurses, midwives, and other health service staff in England for the 2027-28 financial year. In joint evidence submitted to the NHS Pay Review Body, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated that higher awards would require "difficult trade-offs" against existing healthcare commitments, potentially impacting service delivery or increasing waiting times.

Officials noted that every 0.5% increase in pay adds approximately £750 million to the wage bill, which they equated to the cost of over 89,000 hip or knee replacement operations. The government cited various financial pressures, including inflation, energy costs, and industrial action, as reasons for the limited offer.

Health unions, including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, have strongly criticized the proposal. The unions described the offer as "derisory" and a "betrayal," noting that the increase falls below the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate, which was reported at 3.1% in August.