Local Authority round-up – 16 May 2025

Health and Social Care

NHS leaders subject to new performance-based pay system

The Government has introduced new measures which will see those NHS leaders who cut waiting times and deliver improvements for patients rewarded with bonuses of up to 10%. However, NHS executives who fail to achieve such improvement will have their annual pay rises halted or even reduced.

Further, it is reported that pay bands for senior managers will also be refreshed to attract and retain effective leaders within the NHS.

This overhaul establishes stricter accountability for the most senior managers, demanding greater financial rigour across all NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs).

As set out in NHS England’s planning guidance published in January, NHS organisations will need to reduce their cost base by at least 1% and achieve 4% improvement in productivity. It is reported that any Trust or ICB that fails to comply with the new guidelines will be required to publicly justify its decision in its annual report under a strict ‘comply or explain’ approach.

For more information please click here.

Education

Government set to improve PE for SEND students

As a result of a £300,000 investment, the Inclusion 2028 programme will work with a network of lead schools to provide expert training to teachers on how to create and deliver lessons that meet the diverse needs of all pupils.

The programme hopes to provide leadership opportunities for 1,500 pupils who will develop activities for their peers as part of the programme. Schools are also set to host events inspired by the Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

Alongside this, the programme will see 600 new extra-curricular clubs established offering pupils, the opportunity to take part in a range of sports such as tennis, boccia and archery.

For more information please click here.

Newly qualified teachers set to enter the classroom sooner

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship Courses (PGTA) will be reduced from twelve months to nine, aiming to allow newly qualified teachers into the classroom sooner. The change will be made from August this year.

The Government is also offering schools up to £28,000 to cover the cost of training apprentices in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, computing, and modern foreign languages.

The apprenticeship changes build on the Government aim to support teacher recruitment and retention, supplementing last summer’s 5.5% pay award and a targeted retention incentive.

It has been reported that courses will still offer the same content but at a reduced length with trainees gaining Qualified Teacher Status after they have completed the programme.

For more information please click here.

Upcoming Events

The Exchange: Where HR leaders share, inspire and grow.

We are pleased to invite you to the launch event of our new seminar series The Exchange, in collaboration with NRG.

The event series, specifically designed for HR Directors, Chief People Officers, Heads of HR and People Services, and Senior People and Talent Leaders, will bring together peer-level discussion, underpinned by the combined expertise of our legal advisory services and the HR recruitment and consultancy of NRG.

Roisin Currie, CEO of Greggs, will be also joining us for our launch event to share insights on her leadership journey.

The event will take place on the 3rd June 2025, 9:00am to 12:00pm, at Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX.

To register your place, please click here.