No pay rise for managers of worst-performing trusts

Very senior managers at the worst-performing trusts and ICBs will not receive annual pay rises from this year, under new national rules.

The new very senior managers pay framework for trusts, foundation trusts and integrated care boards, published today, says some will for the first time be excluded for the annual pay uplift in 2025-26.

They are: 

• VSMs at organisations in segment five of NHS England’s new national oversight framework, except where they are “exempt” because they are less than two years into the job. Segment five is being introduced for the worst-performing organisations which are also deemed in a “diagnostic” to need the most intervention. Organisations currently in RSP – of which there are 25 – are due to “automatically” enter segment five (see list below); and
• Individuals who are “failing to meet their own objectives or targets” or are subject to investigation for “conduct and capability”.

VSMs at segment three and four trusts will get the 2025-26 pay award, but warns “new provisions are expected to apply” from 2026-27.

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Source: HSJ, 15 May 2025