Hopes rise of better pay offer to nurses
NURSES have been given a hint that their one per cent pay rise may be increased, as a reward for their work in the pandemic.
Care staff reacted with anger at the proposed increase, since rising inflation next year may turn it into a real-terms cut.
Nursing union leaders are considering strike action.
But Boris Johnson said yesterday nurses in England would be viewed “exceptionally” while all other public sector staff have had their wages frozen.
The Prime Minister suggested the door may be open to extra cash: “We have asked the public sector pay review body to look at what more can be done for nurses, in particular, exceptionally.” He claimed that increased recruitment would improve conditions for nurses too: “I understand why nurses – like so many others – would like to see better pay and better terms.
“But what nurses also want – in my experience of going round NHS wards and talking to them – is another pair of hands at a tough time.”
Mr Johnson was speaking after the Scottish Government promised a four per cent hike to 154,000 NHS Scotland staff.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has claimed that an SNP victory at the Holyrood polls in May would give her a mandate for another independence vote, said: “In this election we can build a country fit for the heroes who have kept us going.”
Some Tory MPs claimed that she would not be able to afford the larger payout in an independent Scotland.
Peter Bone said: “I find it very difficult when Sturgeon moans and groans about the United Kingdom.
“It is only because of the United Kingdom that she can give more money to nurses.”
Meanwhile, unions are urging the public to display colourful posters backing a bigger increase on April 1 – the pay rise date.
Dame Donna Kinnair, Royal College of Nursing general secretary, said: “Nursing staff are disgusted with the Government’s one per cent pay proposal.
“The public is with us.The Government needs to listen.”