Agenda for change deadline extended

The deadline for Health and Social Care (HSC) service employers to have all staff on Agenda for Change rates of pay has been extended to June.

To date more than 70% of staff are in receipt of new rates of pay and this figure is expected to increase again after February. However, the Department has been advised that, despite a concerted effort to reach the March deadline, in some instances the deadline may not be achievable.

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: “In order to implement the Agenda for Change rates of pay, trade unions, staff and employers have been involved in a partnership process to ensure that the drive to meet the March deadline was met.

“I have been asked by the trade unions to review my decision to set HSC employers the target of 31 March 2008 to have all staff on Agenda for Change rates of pay.

“I have given this careful consideration and in the interest of maintaining partnership working, between the employers and the trade unions, have agreed with their request to move this deadline to 30 June 2008. This extension will allow the partnership process to be applied to the remainder of the posts.

“I expect the process to be completed as quickly as possible to avoid any unnecessary anxiety for staff involved.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Agenda for Change (AfC) is a national agreement on pay modernisation within the HSC. It involves the moving of staff from different occupation groups into common pay bands with harmonised terms and conditions of service. The policy ensures that staff are rewarded more fairly and objectively on the basis of their responsibilities and the skills and knowledge they bring to the job. It is important that the implementation process is followed through and that the right grade and rate of pay is assigned to individual jobs. Over 60,000 health and social care staff will eventually move to the AfC rates. This process of implementation is being carried out in partnership with the main health service trade unions at local level. Staff will receive any increases due to them and these will be backdated to the implementation date of 1 October 2004.
2. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.