Wes Streeting has triggered the NHS pay review process in a bid to get the pay award timing back on track. The health and social care secretary said he hoped to announce pay awards to health service staff as early as possible, following years of delays. He hopes to have a decision made by April 2025 and to have the process fully back on track by April 2026. The RCN has criticised the 'language of austerity' used when announcing the start of the process.