Protesters take to the street over NHS ‘insult‘
BORIS Johnson insisted the Government has given health workers “as much as we can” as he sought to quell the backlash over a one per cent pay rise for NHS staff.
The Prime Minister stepped in to defend the increase as he faced protests outside Downing Street.
NHS staff staged a socially distanced protest yesterday at the entrance, reminding ministers of how the nation clapped for them last year.
And at another nonsocially distanced protest in Manchester a 65-year-old woman was arrested and the organiser given a £10,000 fine. Nursing unions have threatened a wave of national strikes over what they say is an “insulting” offer, with the Labour Party indicating it would back industrial action.
The Royal College of Nursing has called for a 12.5 per cent increase and set up a £35million strike fund, while Unite has said it could ballot members.
But yesterday Mr Johnson said: “I’m massively grateful to all NHS staff and indeed to social care workers who have been heroic throughout the pandemic. What we have done is try to give them as much as we can at the present time.
“The independent pay review body will obviously look at what we’ve proposed and come back.
“Don’t forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze, we’re in pretty tough times.”
The submission from the Government to the NHS pay body is for a headline one per cent rise, meaning that some types of staff are likely to get more and others less.
It also notes that a further 0.7 per cent hike planned under the wider health service modernisation will still go ahead.
The pay body will make a recommendation in May, but the final decision rests with ministers.