The agenda for change (afc) is the national pay system used across the nhs in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It covers over one million nhs workers and ensures fair, equal, and transparent pay. If you’re a nurse, healthcare assistant, paramedic, or nhs manager, your salary is determined by the agenda for change system.
Our nhs pay bands calculator lets you instantly check your salary, band progression, and take-home pay optimized for overtime, London weighting, and pensions.
What is agenda for change?
Agenda for change is the nhs pay framework introduced in 2004 to replace multiple local agreements with one unified pay structure. It standardizes:
- Nhs pay bands and increments.
- Career progression rules.
- Overtime and unsocial hours rates.
- Allowances for London and high-cost areas.
- Pensions and leave entitlements.
This system ensures that two nhs employees doing equivalent roles in different parts of the country receive consistent pay and benefits.
NHS Pay Bands Explained
NHS jobs are divided into nine pay bands under agenda for change. each band reflects the level of responsibility, qualifications, and experience required.
- Band 2–3: Healthcare assistants, clerical staff, porters..
- Band 4: Assistant practitioners, therapy assistants, admin supervisors.
- Band 5: Newly qualified nurses, paramedics, midwives, radiographers.
- Band 6: Experienced nurses, team leaders, senior allied health professionals.
- Band 7: Ward managers, advanced practitioners, senior specialists.
- Band 8a–8d: Senior managers, heads of service, consultant-level ahps.
- Band 9: Very senior nhs managers and directors.
Pay Progression (career & increment rules)
- Staff moving within the same band keep their current pay step and incremental date.
- Promotion to a higher band starts at the minimum point that ensures a pay rise.
- Moving to a lower band often places staff on the closest pay point to their current salary.
- Acting up (temporary promotion) provides pay at the higher band rate, usually for 1–6 months.
- Staff returning to the nhs after less than 1 month of break usually re-enter at their previous pay step.
NHS Pay Scales 2025/26
Latest nhs salaries under agenda for change are:
- band 2: £22,000 – £24,000
- band 3: £23,000 – £26,000
- band 4: £25,000 – £29,000
- band 5: £28,000 – £34,000
- band 6: £35,000 – £42,000
- band 7: £43,000 – £50,000
- band 8a–8d: £52,000 – £99,000
- band 9: £100,000+
Salaries are higher in London due to the high-cost area supplement (hcas), also called London weighting.
Agenda For Change Across The UK
- England: National pay bands with London weighting in inner/outer London.
- Scotland: Afc applies with separate negotiations.
- Wales: Follows agenda for change with slight regional adjustments.
- Northern Ireland: Afc also applies, though pay deals can lag behind.
People Also Ask – (FAQs)
What is agenda for change nhs pay?
Agenda for change is the nhs pay system that sets salary bands, increments, and allowances for most nhs staff.
How do nhs pay bands work?
NHS pay bands group jobs into nine salary levels. Staff start at the bottom and progress upward annually, based on performance and service.
Do nhs staff get paid more in London?
Yes, nhs staff in London receive a high-cost area supplement (London weighting) to reflect higher living costs.
What is the highest nhs pay band?
Band 9 is the highest pay band, reserved for very senior managers, with salaries over £100,000.
What happens when you move to a higher nhs band?
When promoted, staff move to the lowest pay point in the new band that results in a pay increase. Their incremental date resets.
Optimizing Your NHS Pay
Our nhs pay bands calculator is designed to:
- Calculate gross & net salary (before and after tax, ni, pension).
- Adjust for part-time hours.
- Include overtime and unsocial hours (nights, weekends, bank holidays).
- Factor in London weighting.
- Show take-home pay instantly.
Why Agenda For Change Matters
- Ensures fair pay and equal treatment for nhs workers.
- Builds trust in nhs employment systems.
- Provides clear career progression.
- Maintains transparency across England, Scotland, Wales, and northern Ireland.
This content aligns with google’s ymyl (your money your life) standards by providing accurate, trustworthy, and expert-led information for health-sector salaries.