When Do I Get the NHS Pay Rise?

The Annual Cycle

1. Autumn to winter — the NHS Pay Review Body collects evidence from government, employers and unions.
2. 1 April — the new pay year begins. This is the effective date of whatever award is eventually agreed, even though nobody knows yet what it is. You keep being paid at the old rate.
3. Spring to summer — the Review Body reports and government responds. This is where most of the delay happens, and the timing varies year to year.
4. Summer to autumn — employers implement the new scales in payroll.
5. Implementation month — your payslip shows the new basic pay, plus arrears for every month since April.

Where Each Nation Stands for 2026/27

How Much Back Pay Will I Get?

The difference between the old and new annual rates, divided by twelve, multiplied by the number of months you were paid at the old rate — pro-rated if you are part time.

For a band 5 at the entry point moving from the 2025/26 scale to the 2026/27 scale, the full-time annual difference is £1,024, so six months of arrears is roughly £512 before deductions.

Work out your own arrears →

Arrears arrive on an ordinary pay day, so the date depends on your employer’s payroll calendar. See NHS pay dates for 2026/27.

Why the Arrears Payslip Looks so Heavily Taxed

PAYE treats each month as though it were typical. A payslip with six months of arrears on it looks like a month where you earned far more than usual, so more is taxed at higher rates and National Insurance is higher.

Income tax generally corrects itself over the following months, because it is calculated cumulatively across the year. National Insurance often does not — it is assessed per pay period and not reconciled annually, so a large one-off payment can genuinely cost more NI than the same amount spread evenly. That is how the system works rather than a payroll error.

Things Worth Checking When the Award Lands

• Did an increment fall during the backdated period? If so, part of your arrears should be calculated at the higher pay step.
• Were your enhancements uplifted? Unsocial hours are a percentage of basic pay, so backdated basic pay means backdated enhancements too.
• Did you change hours during the period? Arrears should reflect the hours actually worked in each month.
• Did you move band or employer? Arrears should follow the post you held at the time.

What If I Have Left the NHS?

If you worked during the backdated period you are generally still owed the arrears for that time, but former employers do not always pay automatically — particularly if you have left the payroll entirely. Contact the payroll department of the trust you worked for and give them your assignment number.

Increments Are Separate

The annual award moves the whole pay scale up. Your increment moves you up a point within your band, and happens on your own incremental date regardless of the award. In a year where both happen you get both. See when your increment is due.