UPDATE ON AGENDA FOR CHANGE PAY 25/26

The Pay Review Body recommendations on Agenda for Change pay for 2025/26 have been announced. A 3.6% pay uplift has been recommended and in Northern Ireland the Health Minister has stated that he has begun a process to secure the funding needed to implement this.

It is of concern however, that announcements from the Government at Westminster regarding pay were not accompanied by any additional funding, which may impact on the funding available for pay in Northern Ireland. Whilst the Health Minister has begun a process to secure funding, he has also highlighted the pressures on the budget for health and social care and that the issue may need to go to the Finance Minister and wider Executive.  

We are conscious that the recommended pay uplift is barely in line with the most recently announced inflation figures and that significant issues affecting our lowest paid members remain.

UNISON will now consider our next steps following these announcements. UNISON, alongside other health trade unions, will be seeking an early meeting with the Minister and officials and assurances that the funding needed for a pay uplift will be secured. We will keep members updated as the situation develops.