Written questions

NHS: Agency Workers

Commons · Question 3709 · Tabled 20 May 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 4 Jun 2026

Question

Asked by James McMurdock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost difference between NHS bank staff and agency staff.

Answer

Answered by Karin Smyth, 4 Jun 2026

NHS England estimates that agency staff cost the National Health Service, on average, 20% more than staff bank workers for the same role.While both bank and agency models allow the NHS to meet fluctuations in workforce demand, bank staff are typically pai...