NHS Northern Ireland Pay Bands 2026/27

How Pay Works in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland uses the same Agenda for Change pay bands and spine point values as England. The standard 37.5-hour working week, annual leave entitlements and core terms are the same.

The organisational difference is that staff are employed by Health and Social Care (HSC) trusts, not NHS trusts. HSC integrates health and social care under a single structure, but AfC terms and conditions are the same. There are no HCAS supplements — staff receive basic AfC rates.

How Pay Is Negotiated

The NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) covers Northern Ireland alongside England and Wales. The NI Health Minister decides whether to accept the recommendation. In practice, NI has followed the England pay deal for recent years.

This contrasts with Scotland, which negotiates separately through STAC.

Tax

Northern Ireland uses the same income tax rates as England and Wales (20% basic, 40% higher, 45% additional) with the standard 1257L tax code and £12,570 personal allowance. Only Scotland has different income tax bands.

Unsocial Hours and Overtime

Northern Ireland follows the standard AfC handbook for unsocial hours and overtime. The 37.5-hour week applies, with hours above that treated as overtime. Unsocial hours payments for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays are calculated on basic salary.

Pension

HSC staff in Northern Ireland belong to the HSC Pension Scheme, administered by the Business Services Organisation (BSO). The scheme mirrors the NHS Pension Scheme in England and Wales — a defined benefit scheme with the same contribution tiers and a NET pay arrangement.