• The National Health Service Pay Review Body 31st report: 2018 has been published.
• The report concludes that the Agenda for Change pay deal provides a balanced package of pay reforms that aim to address the concerns of both AfC staff and employers, and to contribute to the sustainability of the workforce.
• Jeremy Hunt confirmed in a written ministerial response that the government will release the £800m already set aside to support the pay deal for 2018/2019 in England.
• Following the recent announcement on the NHS long-term funding settlement, for the remaining two years of the deal (2019/2020 to 2020/2021) funding will be met from the settlement.

The head of analysis at NHS Providers, Phillippa Hentsch, said:

“We welcomed the pay deal for staff on Agenda for Change which has since been agreed unions’ members. But we were clear that the deal must be fully funded and cover the full term of the three year agreement.

We were clear that the deal must be fully funded and cover the full term of the three year agreement.

Phillippa Hentsch    

“The government must also honour its commitment to fund this pay rise. The proposed funding mechanism could leave provider trusts millions out of pocket if it does not take account of all relevant staff.

“Trusts also face the prospect of a further cost hit, if the government decides on a pay award for doctors of more than 1%.

“Finally, we welcome that the Pay Review Body will play a role in monitoring the impact of the three year deal and whether the funding allocated to cover this is reaching the frontline.”