The situation for members in each of the four countries is as follows.
England
Following talks with trade unions, the UK government has agreed to revisit the 2022/23 pay award and add to the pay increases implemented last year a one-off lump sum. This is non-consolidated, so will not count for pensions and therefore will be subject to tax and national insurance in the normal way, but not pension contributions. This lump sum will be 2% of salary plus at least £1250 described as a backlog bonus. For a band 6 pharmacists, the lump sum will be at least £1917, and for a band 7 pharmacists, at least £2070. This is in addition to the £1400 or 4% increase made from April 2022.
For 2023/24 the offer is an increase of 5% on all pay bands under Agenda for Change.
Wales
Members working in the NHS in Wales should receive the same increase as in England for both 2022/23 and 2023/24. However, the Welsh government has already tabled an improved offer for 2022/23 which provides for an additional 3% increase, 1.5% of which is consolidated. It is not yet clear whether the Welsh government will adjust this offer to bring it in line with England. The Welsh offer for 2022/23 is different from that announced for England but it is not a straightforward assessment to determine which is better. The Welsh government has said that if the UK government were to offer something better, they would consult again with unions, and the PDA expects that consultation to start as soon as possible to enable unions to determine which is better.
For 2023/24 the offer is an increase of 5% on all pay bands under Agenda for Change.
Northern Ireland
The offer made by the UK government as set out above, both the 5% increase for 2023/24 and the 2022/23 lump sum, applies also to Northern Ireland. However, in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly, it is not clear when the increases can be paid to NHS employees working in Northern Ireland. Members there still have not had the increase due from 1 April 2022 and these new increases add to the money owed to NHS Northern Ireland employees. It requires a minister in the Northern Ireland Executive to authorise the increases which is not possible without the Assembly functioning.
PDA members in Northern Ireland are already being balloted on industrial action due to the lack of any increase and further communication will be sent to those members when the ballot closes. PDA members employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions are asked however to complete the survey, which was emailed to them, so the PDA has views on the offer should there be any steps taken to implement it in Northern Ireland.
Scotland
The position in Scotland remains unchanged and this offer does not apply in Scotland. Direct negotiations take place between the Scottish government and the trade unions in Scotland resulting in an offer as set out here. PDA members in Scotland are invited to let the PDA have their views on this by completing the survey which was emailed to those employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
The offer from the UK government is now the subject of consultation by all NHS unions. The PDA understands that all other unions are recommending their members accept the offer apart from Unite, who are not making a recommendation but is still seeking the views of their NHS membership.
There is some concern that the offer also includes an agreement from the government to create a separate pay spine for nurses in response to demands from the Royal College of Nursing. In fact, what has been agreed is that the implementation and legality of this will be looked at over the next 12 months, so there are no specific commitments to introduce this contained within the offer made.
Members on Agenda for Change terms and conditions contracts are impacted by this offer. A survey has been sent to those directly employed in the NHS on Agenda for Change terms and conditions and work in any of the four nations. The PDA needs members’ views to inform their decision-making process.
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