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Following months of discussion with the RCN, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP has set out a package of new commitments to nursing staff in England. These promise fairer recognition, stronger support and a clearer future – and the funding needed to deliver it.

The Westminster government is committing to invest in the NHS nursing workforce in England in these three ways.

1. Increasing graduate pay. The government has asked the NHS Staff Council to prioritise graduate pay in the forthcoming structural reform negotiations. This includes nursing roles and all Agenda for Change graduates. 
2. Reviewing the work and salary of every nurse paid at band 5. Every nurse paid at band 5 will have their role reviewed by their employer to make sure their band and job description reflect the job they do. Too many are working at a higher level but not paid fairly for it. The government has informed us that additional funding has been made available to employers to support this programme of work and the salary uplifts that will come from it. This is separate to the funding for the 2026/27 cost-of-living pay award and structural reform negotiations.
3. Establish a single national nursing preceptorship. As part of the Chief Nursing Officer for England professional strategy for nursing, they will lead work with unions, employers and stakeholders to improve the quality and consistency of preceptorships across the country. This is important to ensure that every nurse has the best possible start to their career. The full strategy will be published soon.

Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This announcement is significant progress on career progression for nursing staff.  Too many are not being paid fairly and valued for their skills and responsibilities in caring for patients, too often starting and finishing their careers on the same low pay band.”

The government has confirmed that funding is available to employers to support this review and the salary uplifts that will come from it. It’s important to note that this is separate to the NHS cost-of-living award. That will come soon and needs to be fair to nursing too.

“It’s the first time nursing has been prioritised in this way. We set out a strong case for supporting nursing careers and the government has responded with a series of important commitments to staff in the NHS in England,” said Nicola.

Last year, RCN members spoke out in record numbers. We carried those voices directly to ministers and NHS leaders, calling for fair pay, fair progression and meaningful support throughout a nurse’s career.

These commitments from the government invest in the infrastructure of NHS career progression for nursing staff. They are a major step forward for our profession.

“Nursing is the safety-critical profession and this investment is paramount for the effective running of the health service. We’ve been clear with the government that all nursing staff need progress in both their careers and their pay packets too. Today, we have seen major investment in one big aspect of career progression but we now urgently need a fair pay deal that values nursing too,” Nicola added.

Alongside this work, we will continue to support every member working in the NHS and HSC across the UK with guidance to access job evaluation as new nursing role profiles are implemented across all roles.

It’s more important than ever the details we hold for you – including your current pay band – are up to date on MyRCN.

Find out more about these commitments and how they’ll work in practice.