NHS staff pay claim ‘has public backing’

Health unions say they have the public on their side in their wage dispute with the Government.

A survey by 14 unions indicates most people believe the Government should find money to give NHS workers in England a decent pay rise and that the current recommendation of one percent is too low.

Almost two thirds of 2,000 respondents said they would support the Government making additional resources availablefor a pay rise for NHS staff.

A recommendation from the NHS Pay Review Body is due in the coming weeks.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "NHS workers should have been looking forward to extra money in their pockets this month, but instead they' re still waiting.

"It' s clear public support for a proper rise is as high as ever. The Prime Minister must do the right thing by trying harder to find the money for the increase staff deserve."

Royal College of Nursing acting general secretary Pat Cullen said: "This polling is more evidence of the strong public support for a decent pay rise for health and care staff who are still going over and above during this worldwide pandemic.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "We recognise the pressure this pandemic has put on all health and social care staff who continue to work tirelessly on the frontline, saving lives and caring for our most vulnerable.

"Over one million NHS staff have benefited from multi-year pay deals.

"Pay rises in the rest of the public sector are being paused this year due to the challenging economic environment, but we have asked the independent pay review bodies for their recommendations."