For nursing staff, the minimum wage, i.e. the minimum salary, is to be increased in two further steps.

From July 2026, the minimum wage for

• unskilled nursing assistants from the current £16.10 to £16.52 per hour, rising to £16.95 a year later;
• qualified nursing assistants with at least one year of training will see their rate increase from £17.35 to £17.80 and then to £18.26.
• Nursing professionals will receive at least £18.58 per hour in future. They currently receive at least £17.50, and from July 2026 this will rise to £18.70.

The minimum wage for nursing staff applies to all inpatient and outpatient care facilities, but not to hospitals. It remains the only enforceable remuneration level if there is no collective agreement.