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Nursing union leaders have called “regrettable and bitterly disappointing” a 1% wage increase recommended for NHS workers, who said the government was “dangerously out of touch” with health workers.
The figure, which covers 2021 and 2022, is contained in a document from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) of the NHS Payment Review Body.
One section read: “The government announced a hiatus in public sector pay increases for the entire workforce, with the exception of employees with full-time equivalent base salaries of £ 24,000 or less and for the NHS.
“In setting the budget for DHSC and the NHS, the government assumed a 1% salary reward for NHS staff. Anything higher would require reprioritization.”
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said a salary reward “as poor as this” would mean just an additional £ 3.50 per week to bring home an experienced nurse.
RCN Executive Director and Secretary General Dame Donna Kinnair said: “This is regrettable and bitterly disappointing. The government is dangerously out of touch with nurses, NHS workers and the public.”
He added that “it is not a done deal, but the government has revealed its hand for the first time” and “can expect a backlash from one million NHS workers.”
“Taxpayers support a meaningful and fair wage increase for NHS workers, this year of every year.
“Nursing deserves a 12.5% increase. Our members will make sure the Payment Review Body understands their reality and how the award would be received.”
Sara Gorton, head of health at the Unison union, said: “It is no wonder the chancellor had nothing to say about the NHS yesterday. A 1% pay increase is the worst insult the government could give to workers in the NHS. health they have given their absolute all for the past year.
“The public will be horrified. The staff will think it is some kind of joke.”
Labor shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “A pay cut for NHS staff is the best kick in the teeth for our NHS heroes who have done so much to keep us safe over the past year.
“Rishi Sunak promised to be open and honest with the public, but he shamefully insults all NHS staff members who slip away from this announcement and do not include any mention of the NHS payment in the budget.”
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A government spokesperson said: “More than one million NHS employees continue to benefit from multi-year pay agreements agreed with the unions, which have resulted in a pay increase of more than 12% for newly qualified nurses and will increase pay scales. of junior doctors by 8.2%.
“Pay increases in the rest of the public sector will come to a halt this year due to the challenging economic environment, but we will continue to provide pay increases for NHS workers, in addition to a £ 513 million investment in career development and increased recruitment.
“That’s with a record number of doctors and 10,600 more nurses working in our NHS, and with an increase of more than a third in college nursing applications.
“The independent salary review bodies will report in late spring and we will consider their recommendations carefully when we receive them.”
