AQW 49635/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 25/06/2026
Answered On Date: 15/07/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the pay award due to nurses during the current financial year.

Answer:

It remains my intention to implement pay award recommendations in full and to continue my commitment to maintaining pay parity, with England, for Agenda for Change but I cannot do so until I have clarity on my Department’s budget. However, even in the absence of agreement on an Executive budget, I have asked my officials to progress the necessary preparatory work.

I am committed to transparency with staff-side representatives regarding the timeline for payment.

In addition, my Department, HSC Employers and NI Agenda for Change Trade Unions are engaged in ongoing negotiations on AfC pay structural reform on a 3-nations basis alongside Government, Employers and Trade Unions in England and Wales.