The Agenda for Change pay rise announced by Mr Streeting is higher than the 2.8% for which he previously said the government had budgeted for 2025-26. She said it was “grotesque” to give doctors a better pay increase than nurses, and that starting salaries for nursing staff remained “too low”. Professor Ranger added: “Nursing staff have suffered 15 years of pay erosion and this award is symptomatic of a broken system which erodes our pay each year and keeps nursing staff weighted to the bottom." Ms Whyley added: “This announcement has come far too late, leaving nursing staff waiting once again for recognition they urgently deserve. “That will generate more discontent from an already demoralised workforce.”Some health leaders have welcomed the news that NHS pay deals for 2025-26 have been decided.
