Written question asked by Patrick Hurley (Labour) on Friday, 20 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

NHS: Pay

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to extend the 2024-25 NHS pay settlement for staff aligned to Agenda for Change to social enterprises delivering NHS-funded services; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of excluding such organisations on workforce retention, pay parity and service sustainability.

Answer

This specific assessment has not been made.

Independent organisations commissioned by the National Health Service in England, such as general practices or social enterprises, are free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment, including the pay scales that they use. It is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate.

Where such organisations choose to dynamically link to any of the national contracts, including Agenda for Change, those staff will be contractually entitled to receive the same uplifts in pay and associated terms and conditions as staff employed in NHS organisations.

The 2024/25 pay award was consolidated and funding has been issued. There are no plans to revisit the funding or to issue additional guidance.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 114245
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Staff NHS Pay Standards Labour turnover Social enterprises
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

NHS: Pay

Secondary information

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