Government announces pay award for RCM members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

23 May, 2025

2 minutes read

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has issued a cautious welcome to the news that the governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have accepted the pay recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) in full.

The RCM says while it believes its hard-working members deserve more, the 3.6% is a ‘small improvement’ on the 2.8% the Westminster Government initially said it could afford.

The PRB recommended a 3.6% consolidated uplift effective from 1 April 2025 for all Agenda for Change (AfC) staff in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

However, the RCM says that there is still much work to be done to improve the working lives of midwives and maternity support workers.

Commenting, the RCM’s Director for Employment Relations, Joanne Kaye, said:

“While it’s good that the Government has moved on from its previous 2.8% offer, via the PRB, we know that members will be disappointed that the 3.6% barely covers an inflationary rise. This announcement has been a long time coming and our members have been left in limbo for far too long with regard to their annual pay increases. The RCM has been calling for the entire pay process to get back on track in a timely manner, so while the gap is narrowing, we’re still not there.

“It’s also right that funding will be separately allocated for the structural reform of pay over the next year as this is something the RCM has been advocating for. However, this needs to be sufficient to support a long-term staffing strategy for the NHS as part of the Ten-Year Plan.”

The RCM has welcomed the commitment from the Westminster Government to fund longer term pay reform, which has been a longstanding demand from the RCM and other NHS staff side unions. Proposals to bring the timescale for the 2026/27 pay forward are also welcomed, as this should see staff receive their annual pay increase earlier.

The RCM says the Welsh Government has also confirmed that this will be the same for all AfC midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) in Wales with Minister for Health for Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt confirming the same.

Joanne added:

“What’s crucial now is that all four UK governments ensure that the awards for all NHS staff, regardless of where they work, are fully funded. The RCM Board will be discussing next steps and how we gauge members’ views on this pay award.

ENDS

For interview requests and to contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

 

Notes to Editors

 

 

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team

 

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