Budget 2026: failure to deliver change for nursing

The RCN is highlighting what nursing needs to thrive, as the Westminster government's Budget announced little meaningful change for the profession.

Energy costs, the minimum wage for young workers, and devolution were among the main announcements, as Chancellor John Healey delivered his first Budget, also the first of Andy Burnham's tenure as prime minister.

But nursing needed to hear new measures to grow the workforce, including better pay and student loan forgiveness, and a plan to invest in the profession for the good of the nation.

Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This Budget treats health and care as something of an afterthought rather than the crisis staff are facing. It is the largest part of government expenditure and a priority for voters and taxpayers so deserved a more central role today.”

The RCN had called for a fairer deal for nursing students in its pre-Budget submission – including debt forgiveness for those working in the NHS or social care – after our analysis showed nurses in England are graduating with more debt than student doctors.

Recent announcements that affect nursing and health care include investment in emergency care and mental health support for young people.

Higher tax-free mileage rates for workers including nursing staff have also been made permanent. If you use your own car or van for work, you'll get 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles. The rate above 10,000 is increasing from 25p to 35p per mile from April 2027.

While the government announced a package of artificial intelligence (AI) investment and a review into the use of AI to boost NHS productivity, we said technology could help reduce administrative workloads. However, we warned that digital innovation cannot compensate for growing a nursing workforce that remains understaffed. "Safety must be at the heart of its deployment," said Nicola.

These announcements can have a positive impact, but they’re not the meaningful change nursing has been crying out for.

Nicola said: “Nurse shortages are undermining the government's health ambitions and a failure to invest in our profession holds back our economy. Poor health increases costs for the NHS and keeps people out of work. Nursing is key to turning this around.

"Today we needed new measures to grow the workforce and make nursing a more attractive career through better pay and forgiving the student loans of those who commit to working in the NHS or social care.

"There is no hope in half measures. Investment in nursing will pay for itself over again."