Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance NHS Employers has issued on the recommended wage rate for nursing associate apprentices in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19.

Pay rates for apprentices are set by individual trusts at local level. NHS Employers have issued interim guidance to National Health Service employers on pay for nursing associates suggesting employers pay an interim pay rate for new entrants of Band 3.

Negotiations continue as part of the reform of the Agenda for Change contract to agree guidance on NHS apprentice pay at a national level, which will be decided by the NHS Staff Council.