Correspondence

Letter from the Secretary of State to the Permanent Secretary regarding the ministerial direction request for the NHS pay settlement

Published 5 May 2023

Applies to England

From: The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

To: Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your letter.

I recognise the implications for 2022 to 2023 budgets and compliance with 鈥楳anaging Public Money鈥�. As you say, I have concluded that the wider public interest outweighs the requirement to comply with 鈥楳anaging Public Money鈥� in this case.

On that basis, I am content to direct you to continue with the pay offer, despite the impact on budgets for 2022 to 2023.聽I am also content for you to make the agreed cash payments in advance of the 2022 to 2023 excess vote, if required.

I am copying this letter to the Treasury Officer of Accounts, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

Yours ever

Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP