/* NHS Bands Pay — design system v2.1 "premium soft" (26 Sept 2026). Mobile-first. */
:root{
  --bg:#f4f7fc;
  --surface:#ffffff;
  --ink:#22314a;
  --ink-soft:#3d5170;
  --muted:#647693;
  --line:#e2e9f4;
  --blue:#1668c4;
  --blue-deep:#0c3f82;
  --blue-ink:#123f73;
  --blue-soft:#e7f1fd;
  --blue-softer:#f2f7fe;
  --mint:#e2f4e9;
  --mint-ink:#12713c;
  --mint-bright:#2fa968;
  --amber-soft:#fdf6dd;
  --amber-line:#eed9a4;
  --amber-ink:#7a5b12;
  --radius:20px;
  --radius-s:14px;
  --shadow:0 12px 34px rgba(15,50,100,.10);
  --shadow-s:0 4px 16px rgba(15,50,100,.07);
  --shadow-lift:0 20px 46px rgba(15,50,100,.16);
  --max-width:1140px;
  --content-width:800px;
  --font:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,"Helvetica Neue",Arial,sans-serif;
  --header-h:72px;
}
*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box}
html{scroll-behavior:smooth;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}
body{margin:0;font-family:var(--font);color:var(--ink);background:var(--bg);line-height:1.7;font-size:1.02rem;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;overflow-x:clip}
img{max-width:100%;height:auto}
a{color:var(--blue);text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:3px;text-decoration-thickness:1px}
a:hover{color:var(--blue-deep)}
a:focus-visible,button:focus-visible,summary:focus-visible,input:focus-visible,select:focus-visible{outline:3px solid #8fbdf3;outline-offset:2px;border-radius:6px}
::selection{background:#c9e2fb}
h1,h2,h3,h4{color:#152a45;line-height:1.26;margin:1.7em 0 .6em;font-weight:750;letter-spacing:-.015em}
h1{font-size:clamp(1.8rem,4.6vw,2.6rem);margin-top:.3em}
h2{font-size:clamp(1.34rem,3vw,1.7rem);scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--header-h) + 18px);padding-bottom:.45rem;position:relative}
h2::after{content:"";position:absolute;left:0;bottom:0;width:64px;height:5px;border-radius:99px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--blue),var(--mint-bright))}
h3{font-size:clamp(1.1rem,2.4vw,1.25rem);scroll-margin-top:calc(var(--header-h) + 18px)}
p{margin:0 0 1.15em}
ul,ol{margin:0 0 1.25em;padding-left:1.45em}
li{margin-bottom:.5em}
.lede{font-size:clamp(1.05rem,2.4vw,1.2rem);color:var(--ink-soft);line-height:1.65}

/* ---------- layout ---------- */
.wrap{max-width:var(--max-width);margin:0 auto;padding:0 clamp(16px,4vw,28px)}
.content{max-width:var(--content-width);margin:0 auto}
.content > :first-child{margin-top:0}
main{display:block;padding:10px 0 56px}
.skip-link{position:absolute;left:-9999px;top:0;background:#fff;color:var(--blue-deep);padding:12px 18px;z-index:400;font-weight:700;border-radius:0 0 14px 0;box-shadow:var(--shadow)}
.skip-link:focus{left:0;top:0}

/* ---------- reading progress ---------- */
.read-progress{position:fixed;top:0;left:0;right:0;height:4px;z-index:350;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--blue),var(--mint-bright));transform-origin:0 50%;transform:scaleX(0);border-radius:0 4px 4px 0}

/* ---------- top utility bar ---------- */
.topbar{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#0b3570,#1259a8);color:#eaf2fc;font-size:.8rem}
.topbar .wrap{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:8px}
.topbar a{color:#fff;font-weight:600}
.topbar .updated{opacity:.95}

/* ---------- header / nav ---------- */
.site-header{position:sticky;top:0;z-index:200;background:rgba(255,255,255,.94);backdrop-filter:blur(14px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(14px);border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);box-shadow:0 6px 24px rgba(15,50,100,.07)}
.site-header .wrap{position:relative;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:14px;min-height:var(--header-h);padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}
.brand{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;text-decoration:none;flex:none}
.brand-mark{width:46px;height:46px;border-radius:15px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2f8fdd 0%,#0c3f82 100%);color:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:800;font-size:1.35rem;box-shadow:0 8px 18px rgba(22,104,196,.38);flex:none}
.brand-text{line-height:1.25}
.brand-text strong{display:block;color:#152a45;font-size:1.18rem;letter-spacing:-.01em}
.brand-text span{font-size:.78rem;color:var(--muted)}
.nav-toggle{position:absolute;opacity:0;pointer-events:none}
.nav-toggle-label{display:none;cursor:pointer;padding:10px 18px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:999px;font-weight:700;color:var(--blue-deep);background:#fff;box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);font-size:.92rem;user-select:none}
.main-nav ul{display:flex;gap:2px;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}
.main-nav a{display:block;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink-soft);font-weight:600;font-size:.93rem;border-radius:999px;transition:background .18s ease,color .18s ease}
.main-nav a:hover{background:var(--blue-soft);color:var(--blue-deep)}
.main-nav a[aria-current="page"]{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e7ad8,#0c3f82);color:#fff;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(22,104,196,.35)}
@media(max-width:920px){
  .nav-toggle-label{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px}
  .nav-toggle-label::before{content:"";width:16px;height:12px;background:linear-gradient(var(--blue-deep) 0 2px,transparent 2px 5px,var(--blue-deep) 5px 7px,transparent 7px 10px,var(--blue-deep) 10px 12px)}
  .main-nav{display:none;position:absolute;top:calc(100% + 6px);left:12px;right:12px;background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:var(--radius);box-shadow:var(--shadow);padding:10px;z-index:210}
  .nav-toggle:checked ~ .main-nav{display:block}
  .nav-toggle:checked ~ .nav-toggle-label{background:var(--blue-soft)}
  .main-nav ul{flex-direction:column;align-items:stretch;gap:2px}
  .main-nav a{padding:12px 16px}
  .brand-text span{display:none}
}

/* ---------- breadcrumb ---------- */
.breadcrumb{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--muted);margin:16px 0 6px}
.breadcrumb ol{list-style:none;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin:0;padding:0}
.breadcrumb li{margin:0}
.breadcrumb li+li::before{content:"›";margin-right:8px;color:#a9b8cc}
.breadcrumb a{text-decoration:none;font-weight:500}
.breadcrumb [aria-current="page"]{color:var(--ink-soft);font-weight:600}

/* ---------- hero (homepage) — deep, rich, bulletproof contrast ---------- */
.hero{position:relative;overflow:hidden;background:linear-gradient(155deg,#0a2f66 0%,#0f4c9c 55%,#1668c4 100%);color:#fff;padding:clamp(48px,7vw,88px) 0 clamp(42px,5vw,68px);margin-bottom:4px}
.hero::before{content:"";position:absolute;inset:0;background-image:radial-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,.14) 1.2px,transparent 1.2px);background-size:26px 26px;mask-image:radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 80% at 70% 20%,#000 30%,transparent 75%);-webkit-mask-image:radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 80% at 70% 20%,#000 30%,transparent 75%);pointer-events:none}
.hero::after{content:"";position:absolute;width:520px;height:520px;border-radius:50%;background:radial-gradient(circle,rgba(64,160,255,.35),transparent 65%);top:-200px;right:-140px;filter:blur(30px);pointer-events:none}
.hero .wrap{position:relative;z-index:1}
.hero h1{color:#ffffff;font-size:clamp(2.1rem,5.6vw,3.2rem);margin:0 0 .45em;max-width:15em;letter-spacing:-.02em;text-shadow:0 2px 18px rgba(4,20,45,.35)}
.hero h1::after{display:none}
.hero p.lede{color:#e8f1fc;font-size:clamp(1.05rem,2.6vw,1.25rem);max-width:46em;margin-bottom:1.2em;text-shadow:0 1px 10px rgba(4,20,45,.3)}
.hero .stat-chips{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:0;list-style:none;padding:0}
.hero .stat-chips li{margin:0;background:rgba(255,255,255,.13);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.32);border-radius:999px;padding:9px 18px;font-size:.9rem;font-weight:650;color:#fff;backdrop-filter:blur(6px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(6px);box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(4,20,45,.18)}
.hero .stat-chips strong{color:#ffe27a}
.hero-cta{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:12px;margin-top:28px}
.hero-cta .btn{background:#fff;color:var(--blue-deep);box-shadow:0 10px 26px rgba(4,20,45,.3)}
.hero-cta .btn:hover{background:#f2f7fe;color:var(--blue-deep);transform:translateY(-2px)}
.hero-cta .btn-secondary{background:transparent;color:#fff;border:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.55);box-shadow:none}
.hero-cta .btn-secondary:hover{background:rgba(255,255,255,.14);color:#fff}

/* ---------- table of contents ---------- */
.toc{background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:var(--radius);box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);padding:20px 24px;margin:1.8em 0}
.toc strong.toc-title{display:block;font-size:.8rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.09em;color:var(--muted);margin-bottom:12px}
.toc ol{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:grid;gap:2px}
@media(min-width:700px){.toc ol{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:2px 26px}}
.toc li{margin:0}
.toc a{display:block;padding:8px 14px;border-radius:12px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink-soft);font-size:.93rem;font-weight:550}
.toc a:hover{background:var(--blue-softer);color:var(--blue-deep)}
.toc a.active{background:var(--blue-soft);color:var(--blue-deep);font-weight:700}

/* ---------- quick answer / callouts ---------- */
.quick-answer{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#e7f1fd,#f2f8ff);border:1px solid #c9defa;border-left:6px solid var(--blue);border-radius:18px;padding:20px 24px;margin:1.8em 0;box-shadow:var(--shadow-s)}
.quick-answer p{margin:0;color:#1d3a5c}
.quick-answer strong.qa-label{display:block;font-size:.78rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;color:var(--blue-deep);margin-bottom:8px}
.freshness{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;font-size:.86rem;color:var(--mint-ink);font-weight:650;background:var(--mint);border:1px solid #bfe6cd;padding:8px 16px;border-radius:999px;margin:.4em 0 1.1em}
.freshness .dot{width:9px;height:9px;border-radius:50%;background:#1d9d55;flex:none;box-shadow:0 0 0 4px rgba(29,157,85,.16)}
.byline{font-size:.88rem;color:var(--muted);margin:-.4em 0 1.5em}
.notice{background:var(--amber-soft);border:1px solid var(--amber-line);border-left:6px solid #e3b93f;border-radius:18px;padding:18px 22px;margin:1.8em 0}
.notice p{margin:0;color:#5c4a15}

/* ---------- tables ---------- */
.table-wrap{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.6em 0;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:var(--radius);box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);background:var(--surface);-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;content-visibility:auto;contain-intrinsic-size:auto 420px}
table.data-table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.94rem;margin:0;min-width:600px}
.data-table caption{text-align:left;font-weight:700;padding:14px 18px;background:var(--blue-softer);color:var(--blue-ink);font-size:1rem}
.data-table th{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#0f4c9c,#0c3f82);color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:12px 16px;font-weight:700;white-space:nowrap;font-size:.85rem;letter-spacing:.03em}
.data-table td{padding:11px 16px;border-top:1px solid var(--line);vertical-align:top}
.data-table tbody tr:nth-child(even){background:#f8fbfe}
.data-table tbody tr{transition:background .15s ease}
.data-table tbody tr:hover{background:#eaf3fd}
.data-table td.num,.data-table th.num{text-align:right;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums;white-space:nowrap}
.cite{font-size:.82rem;color:var(--muted);margin:.5em 0 1.6em}

/* ---------- cards ---------- */
.card-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:18px;margin:1.8em 0;list-style:none;padding:0}
@media(min-width:640px){.card-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}}
@media(min-width:1000px){.card-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr)}}
.card-grid li{margin:0}
.card{position:relative;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:24px;background:var(--surface);box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);height:100%;display:flex;flex-direction:column;transition:transform .22s ease,box-shadow .22s ease;overflow:hidden}
.card::before{content:"";position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;height:4px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--blue),var(--mint-bright));opacity:0;transition:opacity .22s ease}
.card:hover{transform:translateY(-5px);box-shadow:var(--shadow-lift)}
.card:hover::before{opacity:1}
.card h3{margin:0 0 .45em;font-size:1.08rem}
.card h3::after{display:none}
.card h3 a{text-decoration:none;color:var(--blue-ink)}
.card h3 a:hover{color:var(--blue);text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:3px}
.card p{font-size:.93rem;color:var(--muted);margin:0 0 .7em;flex:1}
.card .card-figure{font-size:1.4rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--blue-deep);margin:.15em 0 .45em;letter-spacing:-.01em}
.card .card-link{font-weight:700;font-size:.92rem;text-decoration:none}
.band-index{columns:2;gap:28px;margin:1.6em 0}
.band-index a{display:block;padding:11px 14px;border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:12px;text-decoration:none;font-weight:650;color:var(--ink-soft);break-inside:avoid;transition:background .15s ease,border-color .15s ease}
.band-index a:hover{background:#fff;border-color:var(--line);box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);color:var(--blue-deep)}
.band-index a span{font-weight:400;color:var(--muted);font-size:.9em}
@media(max-width:640px){.band-index{columns:1}}

/* ---------- FAQ accordion ---------- */
.faqs{margin:2.2em 0;content-visibility:auto;contain-intrinsic-size:auto 600px}
details.faq{border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:16px;margin-bottom:12px;background:var(--surface);box-shadow:var(--shadow-s);overflow:hidden;transition:box-shadow .2s ease,border-color .2s ease}
details.faq:hover{box-shadow:var(--shadow)}
details.faq[open]{border-color:#a9cdf3;box-shadow:var(--shadow)}
details.faq summary{cursor:pointer;padding:17px 20px;font-weight:700;color:var(--blue-ink);list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:14px;font-size:1rem}
details.faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}
details.faq summary::after{content:"+";font-size:1.3rem;color:#fff;flex:none;font-weight:400;width:34px;height:34px;border-radius:50%;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2f8fdd,#0c3f82);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;transition:transform .25s ease;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(22,104,196,.3)}
details.faq[open] summary::after{content:"–";transform:rotate(180deg)}
details.faq summary:hover{background:var(--blue-softer)}
details.faq .faq-a{padding:0 20px 18px;color:var(--ink-soft)}
details.faq .faq-a p:first-child{margin-top:14px}
details.faq .faq-a p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}

/* ---------- buttons & chips ---------- */
.btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2b86dd 0%,#0c3f82 100%);color:#fff;font-weight:700;padding:14px 30px;border-radius:999px;text-decoration:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;font-size:1rem;box-shadow:0 10px 24px rgba(22,104,196,.35);transition:transform .18s ease,box-shadow .18s ease}
.btn:hover{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e7ad8,#0a3570);color:#fff;transform:translateY(-2px);box-shadow:0 14px 30px rgba(22,104,196,.42)}
.btn-secondary{background:#fff;color:var(--blue-deep);border:2px solid #a9cdf3;box-shadow:var(--shadow-s)}
.btn-secondary:hover{background:var(--blue-softer);color:var(--blue-deep);box-shadow:var(--shadow)}
.chip{display:inline-block;background:var(--blue-soft);color:var(--blue-ink);font-size:.82rem;font-weight:700;padding:6px 14px;border-radius:999px;margin:0 6px 8px 0}

/* ---------- progression box ---------- */
.progression{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#e7f1fd,#f2f8ff);border:1px solid #c9defa;border-radius:var(--radius);padding:26px 28px;margin:2.2em 0;box-shadow:var(--shadow-s)}
.progression h2{border:none;padding:0;margin-top:0;font-size:1.3rem;color:var(--blue-ink)}
.progression h2::after{display:none}
.progression p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}

/* ---------- keep exploring (related) ---------- */
.keep-exploring{margin:3em 0 1em}
.keep-exploring > h2{font-size:1.4rem;margin-bottom:.3em}
.keep-exploring > p{color:var(--muted);font-size:.95rem;margin-bottom:1.2em}

/* ---------- back to top ---------- */
.to-top{position:fixed;right:18px;bottom:18px;z-index:250;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:50%;border:none;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2f8fdd,#0c3f82);color:#fff;box-shadow:0 10px 24px rgba(22,104,196,.4);cursor:pointer;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;opacity:0;transform:translateY(12px);pointer-events:none;transition:opacity .25s ease,transform .25s ease}
.to-top.show{opacity:1;transform:none;pointer-events:auto}
.to-top:hover{transform:translateY(-3px)}
.to-top svg{width:22px;height:22px}

/* ---------- footer ---------- */
.site-footer{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#16263f,#0e1a2e);color:#c9d6e8;margin-top:64px;font-size:.93rem;border-radius:26px 26px 0 0}
.site-footer .independence{background:rgba(255,255,255,.05);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.1);border-radius:26px 26px 0 0}
.site-footer .independence .wrap{padding-top:18px;padding-bottom:18px;font-size:.87rem;color:#aebfd8}
.site-footer .independence strong{color:#fff}
.footer-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(190px,1fr));gap:30px;padding-top:40px;padding-bottom:30px}
.site-footer h2,.site-footer h3{color:#fff;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 .9em;border:none;padding:0}
.site-footer h2::after,.site-footer h3::after{display:none}
.site-footer ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.site-footer li{margin-bottom:.55em}
.site-footer a{color:#c9d6e8;text-decoration:none}
.site-footer a:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:3px}
.footer-bottom{border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.1);font-size:.83rem;color:#93a5bf}
.footer-bottom .wrap{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-top:18px;padding-bottom:22px}

/* ---------- calculator soft overrides (beats inline scoped styles) ---------- */
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-card{border-radius:22px;border-color:#dfe8f4;box-shadow:var(--shadow);overflow:hidden}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-head{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0c3f82,#1668c4)}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-head h2{color:#fff}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-head h2::after{display:none}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-head p{color:#e9f2fd}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-heroBox{border-radius:18px}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-inputs fieldset{border-radius:14px}
.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-field input[type=number],.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-field select{border-radius:10px;padding:11px 13px;font-size:1rem}
@media(max-width:560px){
  .nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-hero{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-row2{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-heroVal{font-size:1.65rem}
  .nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-inputs,.nhscalc-wrap .nhscalc-results{padding:18px}
}

/* ---------- scroll reveal (JS-gated, no-JS safe) ---------- */
.js .reveal{opacity:0;transform:translateY(18px);transition:opacity .65s ease,transform .65s ease}
.js .reveal.in{opacity:1;transform:none}

/* ---------- misc ---------- */
.section-gap{margin-top:2.8em}
.text-center{text-align:center}
.small{font-size:.87rem;color:var(--muted)}
hr{border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin:2.2em 0}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
  html{scroll-behavior:auto}
  *,*::before,*::after{animation:none!important;transition:none!important}
  .js .reveal{opacity:1;transform:none}
}