In short
NHS staff in and around London get a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS), still usually called London weighting, on top of basic pay. In 2026/27 it's 20% of basic pay in inner London, 15% in outer London and 5% in the fringe, each with a minimum and a maximum. It's paid in England only: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have no HCAS.
2026/27 rates
| Zone | Rate | Minimum a year | Maximum a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | 20% | £5,794 | £8,746 |
| Outer London | 15% | £4,870 | £6,137 |
| Fringe | 5% | £1,346 | £2,270 |
The minimum means lower bands get more than the headline percentage: in inner London everyone earning under £28,970 gets the full £5,794. The maximum caps it from £43,730 of basic pay in inner London, £40,913 in outer London and £45,400 in the fringe.
What each band gets (England, bottom of band, full time)
| Band | Basic pay | Inner London | Outer London | Fringe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £25,272 | £5,794 | £4,870 | £1,346 |
| Band 3 | £25,760 | £5,794 | £4,870 | £1,346 |
| Band 4 | £28,392 | £5,794 | £4,870 | £1,420 |
| Band 5 | £32,073 | £6,415 | £4,870 | £1,604 |
| Band 6 | £39,959 | £7,992 | £5,994 | £1,998 |
| Band 7 | £49,387 | £8,746 | £6,137 | £2,270 |
| Band 8a | £57,528 | £8,746 | £6,137 | £2,270 |
| Band 8b | £66,582 | £8,746 | £6,137 | £2,270 |
What it adds to take home
HCAS is taxed, has NI taken and is pensionable, so you keep less than the headline figure. At the bottom of Band 5 in inner London, £6,415 of HCAS adds £310.89 a month to take home, after the supplement also lifts you into a higher pension tier (8.3% to 9.8%). Use the take home calculator and pick your zone to see your own figure.
Which zone am I in?
Zones follow the old 2005 primary care trust boundaries, not today's boroughs or postcodes, so check with your employer if you're near a boundary.
- Inner London: Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Camden, Islington, City & Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Wandsworth.
- Outer London: Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Croydon, Kingston, Richmond & Twickenham, and Sutton & Merton.
- Fringe: Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley; Basildon; Billericay, Brentwood & Wickford; Epping Forest; Harlow; Thurrock; Dacorum; Hertsmere; Royston, Buntingford & Bishop's Stortford; South East Hertfordshire; St Albans & Harpenden; Watford & Three Rivers; Welwyn Hatfield; Bracknell Forest; Slough; Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead; Wokingham; East Elmbridge & Mid Surrey; East Surrey; Guildford & Waverley; North Surrey; and Surrey Heath & Woking.
An employer with staff in more than one zone can agree a single harmonised rate across its sites, so your trust's rate may differ from the table.
What HCAS counts for
- Pension: yes, it's pensionable.
- Sick pay and holiday pay: yes, it's included.
- Overtime and unsocial hours: no. Those are worked out on basic pay only, so HCAS doesn't raise your hourly rate for enhancements.
- Recruitment and retention premiums: a long-term premium is added to basic pay before the percentage is worked out.
Part time
Part-time staff get HCAS pro rata, and that includes the minimum and maximum. A Band 5 on 60% hours in inner London gets £3,849 a year: 60% of the full-time figure.
Is it enough?
If you're weighing a London job against one outside, compare take home after rent and travel, not the supplement alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is NHS London weighting in 2026/27?
Does London weighting count towards my NHS pension?
Is Croydon inner or outer London for NHS pay?
Do part-time NHS staff get London weighting?
Is there London weighting in Scotland or Wales?
Sources (checked 18 October 2026)
- NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook (version 63) (NHS Employers)
- Pay scales for 2026/27 (NHS Employers)
- NHS terms and conditions: Agenda for Change (Royal College of Nursing)
See your own payslip, with your band and shifts.
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