17/11/2025
Health Minister Commits To Real Living Wage Funding
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has addressed the funding position for the Real Living Wage (RLW) for staff working in the independent social care sector.
The Minister confirmed he was recently directed to commit a total of £209 million for pay uplifts covering staff groups addressed by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body and the NHS Pay Review Body. However, this direction did not include funding for the RLW for independent sector employees.
Despite this, Minister Nesbitt stated his full commitment to resolving all pay issues and funding the RLW for social care staff at the earliest affordable opportunity.
"This will be a priority for me in the planning of our expenditure for the financial year 2026/27," the Minister confirmed.
Minister Nesbitt acknowledged that the current lack of immediate funding would be disappointing but sought to maintain positive working relationships with the sector, which he described as playing a "vital role" in the health and social care system.
He committed that once the uplift is possible, the funding would be ring-fenced, allocated transparently and pProvided with clear timing.
The Minister confirmed he was recently directed to commit a total of £209 million for pay uplifts covering staff groups addressed by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body and the NHS Pay Review Body. However, this direction did not include funding for the RLW for independent sector employees.
"This will be a priority for me in the planning of our expenditure for the financial year 2026/27," the Minister confirmed.
Minister Nesbitt acknowledged that the current lack of immediate funding would be disappointing but sought to maintain positive working relationships with the sector, which he described as playing a "vital role" in the health and social care system.
He committed that once the uplift is possible, the funding would be ring-fenced, allocated transparently and pProvided with clear timing.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.