NHS pay rise 2027/28: latest confirmed position
The NHS pay round for 2027/28 has begun, but the official remit letter does not announce a final pay increase or new salary scales. It starts the process for reviewing pay for staff covered by Agenda for Change (AfC), including NHS nurses.
Will there be another NHS pay rise in 2027? A further pay round is underway, but its outcome is still to be determined. The 2026/27 salaries shown below are current reference figures, rather than confirmed NHS pay bands for 2027/28.
The government’s remit also allows negotiations to consider headline pay uplifts for both 2027/28 and 2028/29. This possibility should not be confused with an agreed multi-year pay deal.
Source: NHS Pay Review Body remit letter for 2027/28.
NHS Pay Review Body remit letter: 2027 to 2028
The remit letter, sent to Stephen Boyle (Interim Chair of the NHSPRB), thanks the review body for its work on the 2026/27 report and formally commences the next pay round. The government accepted the NHSPRB recommendations for 2026/27 in full, with the uplift reaching pay packets from the start of April for the first time in 6 years.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will provide its departmental evidence in the autumn, setting out available funds for 2027/28, recruitment and retention context, earnings data, and the 10 Year Health Plan. The letter confirms that negotiations on pay structure reform between the NHS Staff Council and the government have commenced following acceptance of the mandate.
The mandate includes the potential to include headline pay uplifts for 2027/28 and 2028/29 as part of these negotiations. The government will keep NHSPRB members updated on progress, particularly if any deal agreed with the NHS Staff Council has implications for the review body’s work.
UNISON and NHS Agenda for Change pay negotiations
UNISON’s London Ambulance Service branch reported on 24 April 2026 that the NHS Staff Council had received a mandate for Agenda for Change pay-structure negotiations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The update said negotiations would explore whether an agreement could also cover 2027/28 and 2028/29.
An annual pay increase and pay-structure reform are different changes. A headline uplift changes salary rates, while reform can change how the pay framework operates. A negotiation update or union proposal does not, by itself, confirm a final percentage or payment date.
Source: LAS UNISON’s April 2026 negotiations update.
Murray requested that the NHSPRB submit its report at the earliest point that allows due consideration of relevant evidence. The government launched this pay round earlier than the previous one, recognising that changing the timeline presents challenges but emphasising the importance of returning to more timely annual pay processes. The DHSC will aim to meet deadlines and bring the evidence process forward to enable earlier submission.
For 2026/27, the government accepted headline pay recommendations from both review bodies, with a 3.3% pay uplift for NHS staff on Agenda for Change and 3.5% for those under the DDRB remit. General practice nurses should receive the 3.5% pay rise recommended by the DDRB, though data collected by Nursing in Practice shows many practice nurses have been excluded from the rise for the last 2 years.
NHS pay rise 2027/28 predictions: what increase is likely?
There is no confirmed percentage in the official remit letter from which to identify the likely or expected NHS pay rise for 2027/28. Predictions should therefore be distinguished from an announced award.
A salary estimate can show what a chosen percentage would mean for an individual nurse, but it cannot predict the outcome of the pay round. The previous year’s award should not automatically be treated as the next year’s expected increase.
The examples below use the confirmed England 2026/27 Band 5 entry salary of £32,073. The percentages are chosen only to demonstrate the calculation. They are not forecasts, government proposals or confirmed pay awards.
| Illustrative uplift | Estimated annual basic salary | Additional annual gross pay | Additional gross pay per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | £32,714.46 | £641.46 | £53.46 |
| 3% | £33,035.19 | £962.19 | £80.18 |
| 4% | £33,355.92 | £1,282.92 | £106.91 |
These estimates exclude London weighting, unsocial-hours enhancements and deductions. The monthly increases are the annual gross increases divided by 12; they are not additional monthly take-home pay.
Sources: Official 2027/28 remit letter and NHS Employers’ 2026/27 pay scales.
When will the NHS pay rise for 2027/28 be paid?
The official remit letter does not specify when the 2027/28 increase will be paid. It requests an earlier report to support a timely announcement, but this is not a confirmed payroll date.
The 2027/28 financial year runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028. An award’s effective date and the date it appears in a payslip can differ. Whether back pay applies will depend on the final award and implementation arrangements.
For England, check the final government announcement and your employer’s payroll notice. NHS Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland require their applicable national decisions and implementation guidance. Do not assume that every UK nation will pay an increase in the same month.
Source: NHS Pay Review Body remit letter for 2027/28.
Pay scales for 2026/27
The following tables show confirmed England Agenda for Change salaries for 2026/27, effective from 1 April 2026. They provide a baseline for understanding a future increase; they are not final 2027/28 pay scales.
The basic annual and hourly tables exclude Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS), also called London weighting. The separate Inner London, Outer London and Fringe tables include the applicable supplement.
For example, Band 5 basic pay is £32,073 at entry, £34,592 at the intermediate step and £39,043 at the top step. The corresponding basic hourly rates are £16.40, £17.69 and £19.97 per hour, excluding London supplements and additional payments.
Source: NHS Employers’ 2026/27 annual, hourly and HCAS pay scales.
Annual pay scales:
| Band | Entry Step Point | Years Until Pay Progression | Intermediate Step Point | Years Until Pay Progression | Top Step Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1* | £25,272 | — | — | — | £25,272 |
| Band 2 | £25,272 | 2 | — | — | £25,272 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | 2 | — | — | £27,476 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | 3 | — | — | £31,157 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | 2 | £34,592 | 2 | £39,043 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | 2 | £42,170 | 3 | £48,117 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | 2 | £51,932 | 3 | £56,515 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | 2 | £60,417 | 3 | £64,750 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | 2 | £70,896 | 3 | £77,368 |
| Band 8c | £79,504 | 2 | £84,346 | 3 | £91,609 |
| Band 8d | £94,356 | 2 | £100,140 | 3 | £108,814 |
| Band 9 | £112,782 | 2 | £119,583 | 3 | £129,783 |
*Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
Hourly rates:
| Band | Entry Hourly Rate | Years Until Pay Progression | Intermediate Hourly Rate | Years Until Pay Progression | Top Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1* | £12.92 | — | — | — | £12.92 |
| Band 2 | £12.92 | 2 | — | — | £12.92 |
| Band 3 | £13.17 | 2 | — | — | £14.05 |
| Band 4 | £14.52 | 3 | — | — | £15.93 |
| Band 5 | £16.40 | 2 | £17.69 | 2 | £19.97 |
| Band 6 | £20.44 | 2 | £21.57 | 3 | £24.61 |
| Band 7 | £25.26 | 2 | £26.56 | 3 | £28.90 |
| Band 8a | £29.42 | 2 | £30.90 | 3 | £33.11 |
| Band 8b | £34.05 | 2 | £36.26 | 3 | £39.57 |
| Band 8c | £40.66 | 2 | £43.14 | 3 | £46.85 |
| Band 8d | £48.26 | 2 | £51.21 | 3 | £55.65 |
| Band 9 | £57.68 | 2 | £61.16 | 3 | £66.37 |
*Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
How to estimate a future NHS pay increase
To estimate a possible annual increase, apply your chosen percentage to your current annual basic salary:
Annual gross increase = current annual basic salary × assumed percentage ÷ 100.
Estimated new annual basic salary = current annual basic salary + annual gross increase.
Use your correct country, band and pay step as the starting point. Any London supplement or additional payment should be considered separately under its applicable rules.
A gross-pay estimate does not establish the additional take-home amount. Any calculation of net pay must use the applicable tax-year rules and the individual’s pension, student-loan and other payroll details.
An NHS pay-rise calculator is a planning aid. It cannot establish the official 2027/28 award before that award is announced.
Minimum and maximum HCAS payment figures
Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS), also called London weighting, apply to eligible Agenda for Change staff working in designated areas. The tables below show total basic salary plus the applicable supplement, rather than the supplement alone. The supplement is calculated as a percentage of basic salary, subject to the minimum and maximum payments listed below.
Inner London (20% of basic salary): subject to a minimum payment of £5,794 and a maximum payment of £8,746.
Outer London (15% of basic salary): subject to a minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,137.
Fringe (5% of basic salary): subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 and a maximum payment of £2,270.
Inner London HCAS rates:
| Band | Pay Step | Annual Value | Hourly Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1* | Entry | £31,066 | £15.89 |
| Band 2 | Entry | £31,066 | £15.89 |
| Band 2 | Top | £31,066 | £15.89 |
| Band 3 | Entry | £31,554 | £16.14 |
| Band 3 | Top | £33,270 | £17.01 |
| Band 4 | Entry | £34,186 | £17.48 |
| Band 4 | Top | £37,389 | £19.12 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £38,488 | £19.68 |
| Band 5 | Mid | £41,511 | £21.23 |
| Band 5 | Top | £46,852 | £23.96 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £47,951 | £24.52 |
| Band 6 | Mid | £50,604 | £25.88 |
| Band 6 | Top | £56,863 | £29.08 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £58,133 | £29.73 |
| Band 7 | Mid | £60,678 | £31.03 |
| Band 7 | Top | £65,261 | £33.38 |
| Band 8a | Entry | £66,274 | £33.89 |
| Band 8a | Mid | £69,163 | £35.37 |
| Band 8a | Top | £73,496 | £37.59 |
| Band 8b | Entry | £75,328 | £38.52 |
| Band 8b | Mid | £79,642 | £40.73 |
| Band 8b | Top | £86,114 | £44.04 |
| Band 8c | Entry | £88,250 | £45.13 |
| Band 8c | Mid | £93,092 | £47.61 |
| Band 8c | Top | £100,355 | £51.32 |
| Band 8d | Entry | £103,102 | £52.73 |
| Band 8d | Mid | £108,886 | £55.69 |
| Band 8d | Top | £117,560 | £60.12 |
| Band 9 | Entry | £121,528 | £62.15 |
| Band 9 | Mid | £128,329 | £65.63 |
| Band 9 | Top | £138,529 | £70.85 |
*Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
Outer London HCAS rates:
| Band | Pay Step | Annual Value | Hourly Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1* | Entry | £30,142 | £15.42 |
| Band 2 | Entry | £30,142 | £15.42 |
| Band 2 | Top | £30,142 | £15.42 |
| Band 3 | Entry | £30,630 | £15.66 |
| Band 3 | Top | £32,346 | £16.54 |
| Band 4 | Entry | £33,262 | £17.01 |
| Band 4 | Top | £36,027 | £18.42 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £36,943 | £18.89 |
| Band 5 | Mid | £39,781 | £20.34 |
| Band 5 | Top | £44,900 | £22.96 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £45,953 | £23.50 |
| Band 6 | Mid | £48,307 | £24.70 |
| Band 6 | Top | £54,254 | £27.75 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £55,524 | £28.40 |
| Band 7 | Mid | £58,069 | £29.70 |
| Band 7 | Top | £62,652 | £32.04 |
| Band 8a | Entry | £63,665 | £32.56 |
| Band 8a | Mid | £66,554 | £34.04 |
| Band 8a | Top | £70,887 | £36.25 |
| Band 8b | Entry | £72,719 | £37.19 |
| Band 8b | Mid | £77,033 | £39.40 |
| Band 8b | Top | £83,505 | £42.71 |
| Band 8c | Entry | £85,641 | £43.80 |
| Band 8c | Mid | £90,483 | £46.27 |
| Band 8c | Top | £97,746 | £49.99 |
| Band 8d | Entry | £100,493 | £51.39 |
| Band 8d | Mid | £106,277 | £54.35 |
| Band 8d | Top | £114,951 | £58.79 |
| Band 9 | Entry | £118,919 | £60.82 |
| Band 9 | Mid | £125,720 | £64.30 |
| Band 9 | Top | £135,920 | £69.51 |
*Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
Fringe HCAS rates:
| Band | Pay Step | Annual Value | Hourly Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1* | Entry | £26,618 | £13.61 |
| Band 2 | Entry | £26,618 | £13.61 |
| Band 2 | Top | £26,618 | £13.61 |
| Band 3 | Entry | £27,106 | £13.86 |
| Band 3 | Top | £28,850 | £14.75 |
| Band 4 | Entry | £29,812 | £15.25 |
| Band 4 | Top | £32,715 | £16.73 |
| Band 5 | Entry | £33,677 | £17.22 |
| Band 5 | Mid | £36,322 | £18.58 |
| Band 5 | Top | £40,996 | £20.97 |
| Band 6 | Entry | £41,957 | £21.46 |
| Band 6 | Mid | £44,279 | £22.64 |
| Band 6 | Top | £50,387 | £25.77 |
| Band 7 | Entry | £51,657 | £26.42 |
| Band 7 | Mid | £54,202 | £27.72 |
| Band 7 | Top | £58,785 | £30.06 |
| Band 8a | Entry | £59,798 | £30.58 |
| Band 8a | Mid | £62,687 | £32.06 |
| Band 8a | Top | £67,020 | £34.28 |
| Band 8b | Entry | £68,852 | £35.21 |
| Band 8b | Mid | £73,166 | £37.42 |
| Band 8b | Top | £79,638 | £40.73 |
| Band 8c | Entry | £81,774 | £41.82 |
| Band 8c | Mid | £86,616 | £44.30 |
| Band 8c | Top | £93,879 | £48.01 |
| Band 8d | Entry | £96,626 | £49.42 |
| Band 8d | Mid | £102,410 | £52.37 |
| Band 8d | Top | £111,084 | £56.81 |
| Band 9 | Entry | £115,052 | £58.84 |
| Band 9 | Mid | £121,853 | £62.32 |
| Band 9 | Top | £132,053 | £67.53 |
*Band 1 is closed to new entrants.
NHS Scotland pay rise 2027/28 and NHS Lothian
NHS Scotland has its own Agenda for Change pay agreement. The published agreement covers 2025/26 and 2026/27, including a 3.75% increase from 1 April 2026. That percentage should not be presented as a confirmed Scottish award for 2027/28.
For NHS Lothian staff covered by AfC, use the applicable NHS Scotland pay scale and the employer’s payroll guidance. England’s salary table should not be used as their Scottish salary scale.
An NHS Scotland pay-rise payment date should be taken from the relevant Scottish implementation announcement and employer payroll communication.
Wales and Northern Ireland also require their applicable national decisions and pay circulars. An announcement for England does not automatically establish identical salaries or payment dates across the UK.
Sources: Scottish Government Agenda for Change pay information and the official 2027/28 remit letter.
Official NHS pay scales and PDF documents
For the current salary tables and downloadable pay-scale poster, use NHS Employers’ 2026/27 pay-scales publication. Check the financial year before using any PDF: a 2026/27 document does not confirm 2027/28 salaries.
For official information about the 2027/28 pay process, read the NHS Pay Review Body remit letter on GOV.UK. Use the appropriate national publication when checking Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish pay.
For the current confirmed England Band 5 salary points and take-home examples, see the NHS Band 5 salary 2026/27 calculator page.
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NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook
The NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook sets out Agenda for Change pay bands, pay progression and other employment terms. Its England pay tables include the rates effective from 1 April 2026. Use the applicable country-specific provisions when checking an individual’s entitlement.
Source: NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook.
Stage 1: Job matching course
The Stage 1 job matching course trains NHS staff to match job descriptions against the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme. Job matching determines which Agenda for Change pay band applies to specific roles. The course covers the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate roles accurately.
Stage 2: Consistency checking course
The Stage 2 consistency checking course trains staff to review job matching decisions for consistency across the NHS. Consistency checking ensures that similar roles receive the same pay band regardless of which trust employs the worker. The course builds on Stage 1 job matching skills.
Stage 4: Refresher training
The Stage 4 refresher training updates accredited job evaluators and consistency checkers on any changes to the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme. Refresher training maintains the quality and consistency of job matching decisions across the health service.
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