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