The 2026/27 awards
| Country | 2026/27 award | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| England | 3.3% | From April 2026 |
| Wales | 3.3% | From April 2026 |
| Scotland | 3.75% (after 4.4% for 2025/26) | From April 2026 |
| Northern Ireland | 3.3% expected | Not yet: waiting for budget approval |
For England, Wales and Northern Ireland the rise follows the NHS Pay Review Body's 39th report, published on 12 February 2026, which recommended a 3.3% consolidated rise on every Agenda for Change pay point from 1 April 2026. Scotland agrees its own deal. See the pay rise guide for the detail.
Why a rise is worth less than it looks
Out of every extra pound, the NHS pension, income tax and National Insurance all take a share. For a basic-rate taxpayer that's roughly 20% tax, 8% NI and your pension rate, though the pension comes off before tax so it costs a little less. That's why £85.33 a month more on paper at Band 5 is about £55.77 more in the bank.
A rise can also cost more than you'd expect in two cases:
- It moves you into a higher pension tier. The tier rate applies to all your pensionable pay, so crossing a threshold takes a bite out of the whole salary, not just the rise. For 2026/27 the England and Wales thresholds went up by more than the award, so the award alone won't push anyone up a tier, but a pay point move can.
- It takes you into higher-rate tax, above £50,270 of taxable pay in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and £43,662 in Scotland, where the rate on the extra pay jumps.
Pay award or pay point?
The annual award moves every pay point. Moving up a pay point inside your band is separate: it happens on your pay step date when you meet the progression conditions, and it's usually worth much more. Use the take home pay calculator to compare your current point with the next one.