The Government have recently declined to enact reform, which would see the creation of a separate pay spine for nurses. In 2024, a call for evidence was published after concerns were raised about the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay structure hindering nurse’s career progression. The RCN suggested a separate pay spine for nurses to remedy this but was ultimately rejected, due to the issues and career hindrances not being ‘unique to nursing.’
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The Government stated in correspondence: ‘The evidence suggests that the reported barriers to career progression caused by the AfC pay structure are not unique to nursing, and we have not seen evidence that would justify addressing these issues for nurses and not for other AfC staff groups. The responses have also highlighted a number of significant risks with the concept of a separate nursing pay spine. The government’s view is that the risks that have been highlighted could not realistically be mitigated to an acceptable level.’
The RCN have expressed their disagreement, claiming that the proposed pay reforms would better reflect the role of modern nurses. The call for evidence showed that 94% of nurses felt that a separate pay spine would improve their professional development, as the current AfC agenda did not accurately consider the new responsibilities of the current nursing role. The union claims that rejecting the pay reforms hinders not only nursing careers, but the Government’s own aims for the health service.
‘To achieve the three ‘shifts’ in the forthcoming NHS plan, the government needs a booming nursing profession. It has just taken a large step away from that desired future,’ said RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger.
‘Nursing has evolved beyond recognition. It is a highly-skilled, safety critical profession and we work autonomously to deliver the vast majority of care. We have modernised and taken on more responsibility but are still forced to contend with a pay and grading structure which traps the majority of nursing professionals on the lowest pay bands possible.’