16/02/2026
Health Minister Pledges 3.3% Pay Rise Priority For HSC Staff
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has stated that securing a pay settlement for health and social care workers remains his department's top priority for the 2026/27 financial year. The announcement follows the latest report from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB), which recommended a 3.3% consolidated pay uplift for all Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, effective from 1 April 2026.
Northern Ireland has been working on a tri-nation basis alongside England and Wales regarding both the headline pay increase and structural reforms to the pay system. Both England and Wales have confirmed today that they will move forward with the recommended 3.3% increase.
Minister Nesbitt expressed his intention to match this award for local AfC staff and further his goal of making the Health and Social Care (HSC) sector a Real Living Wage (RLW) employer. This commitment extends to direct care staff within the independent adult social care sector who provide commissioned services.
Commenting on the proposal, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "I can confirm that I remain fully committed to ensuring that pay will be the first priority for the Department and it is my desire to proceed with a headline pay award of 3.3% for AfC staff in 2026/27 and to progress towards HSC becoming a Real Living Wage (RLW) employer. I also intend to honour my commitment to funding for independent sector adult social care staff who provide direct care through commissioned services, in order to deliver the RLW for these staff."
While the Minister aims to implement these increases as early as possible in the new financial year, he cautioned that delivery is dependent on the final budgetary position. He noted that the current draft budget proposals suggest an "extremely challenging year" ahead, requiring significant savings to address existing deficits.
Recommendations for medical and dental staff from their respective Pay Review Body are expected in early April.
Minister Nesbitt added: "The imperative is to ensure that we can agree a three-year budget which would provide much needed certainty and greater freedom to plan ahead and progress with the necessary changes as to how health and social care will be delivered in the future."
Northern Ireland has been working on a tri-nation basis alongside England and Wales regarding both the headline pay increase and structural reforms to the pay system. Both England and Wales have confirmed today that they will move forward with the recommended 3.3% increase.
Minister Nesbitt expressed his intention to match this award for local AfC staff and further his goal of making the Health and Social Care (HSC) sector a Real Living Wage (RLW) employer. This commitment extends to direct care staff within the independent adult social care sector who provide commissioned services.
While the Minister aims to implement these increases as early as possible in the new financial year, he cautioned that delivery is dependent on the final budgetary position. He noted that the current draft budget proposals suggest an "extremely challenging year" ahead, requiring significant savings to address existing deficits.
Recommendations for medical and dental staff from their respective Pay Review Body are expected in early April.
Minister Nesbitt added: "The imperative is to ensure that we can agree a three-year budget which would provide much needed certainty and greater freedom to plan ahead and progress with the necessary changes as to how health and social care will be delivered in the future."
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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.