UPDATE ON AGENDA FOR CHANGE PAY 2025/26 – EXECUTIVE MUST MAKE FUNDING AVAILABLE

The UNISON NI Health Care Service Group has met to discuss 2025/26 Agenda for Change pay.

This follows from a meeting between the Health Minister, UNISON and other health trade unions that was sought by UNISON and other health trade unions, following the announcement of the Pay Review Body recommendation of a 3.6% pay uplift.

The Minister outlined the steps he has taken so far to secure the funding required for a pay uplift, highlighting the serious pressures on the health budget. The matter is now with the NI Executive for a decision on funding, but disappointingly this issue has yet to be resolved.

The Health Care Service Group is very concerned that unless there is urgent movement on the issue of funding, our members will once again face a completely unacceptable delay in delivering a pay uplift for 2025/26. The whole Executive must understand the deep frustration and disappointment this would cause. The Executive cannot therefore delay and must ensure that funding for a pay uplift is in place.

The Health Care Service Group is very conscious that the Pay Review Body recommendation is barely in line with recent levels of inflation and the Group is clear that the issues affecting our lowest paid members must be addressed. UNISON will continue to make the case that all health and social care workers should be paid, as a minimum, the real living wage.

UNISON, alongside other health trade unions, will press the whole Executive to ensure that the funding needed for pay is put in place. We will further update our members and will be encouraging them to call on their MLAs to support delivery of the funding required.