UK Government Announces NHS Nurse Pay Review and Career Progression Funding in England

The UK government has committed to a package of reforms aimed at enhancing career progression and pay for nursing staff in England, following ongoing discussions with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The new measures, announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, include a pledge to prioritise graduate nurse pay in upcoming NHS structural reform negotiations.

At the heart of the announcement is a requirement for every NHS nurse paid at band 5 to have their role reviewed by their employer. The review aims to ensure job descriptions and pay bands accurately reflect the duties staff actually perform, addressing a long-standing concern that many nurses work at a higher level without corresponding compensation. The government confirmed that extra funding has been made available to employers to carry out these reviews and implement the resulting salary increases. This funding is separate from the upcoming 2026/27 cost-of-living pay award.

The reforms also include establishing a single national nursing preceptorship, led by the Chief Nursing Officer for England, to improve the quality and uniformity of support for newly qualified nurses. RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger welcomed the announcement as meaningful progress, stating it is the first time nursing has been given such priority. She stressed that while this investment in career infrastructure is a significant step, nursing staff still urgently need a fair overall pay deal that genuinely values the profession. The reforms aim to support NHS retention and address workforce pressures by creating clearer, fairer career progression pathways.