Healthcare leaders brand pay rise ‘a kick in the teeth’

Warnings of backlash as Government is accused of failing NHS staff who have ‘kept this country alive’

HEALTHCARE leaders have criticised a proposed NHS pay increase of around one per cent as a “kick in the teeth” that could worsen staffing gaps.

The proposal – which could leave most doctors with a below-inflation increase – was quietly published last night, a day after the Budget.

Under the framework, most nurses will receive a pay rise of 1.7 per cent, 0.7 of which was previously settled.

Consultants, salaried GPS, paramedics and NHS dentists will be in line for a one per cent rise, less than some forecasts of inflation of around 1.2 per cent.

Coming after the toughest 12 months in the NHS’S history, during which more than 850 UK healthcare staff died from

Covid, the proposed settlement was criticised by hospital leaders, staffing representatives and Labour.

Dame Donna Kinnair, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “The Government is dangerously out of touch with nursing staff, NHS workers and the public.

“It is not a done deal but the Government has revealed its hand for the first time.

“With the time remaining before the Pay Review Body recommendation, the Government can expect a backlash from a million NHS workers. Taxpayers are supportive of a significant and fair pay rise for NHS workers – this year of all years.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the chairman of the British Medical Association, described the proposal as a “kick in the teeth” at the end of a decade when doctors endured real terms pay cuts of up to 30 per cent.

“This is a total dereliction of the Government’s moral duty and obligation to a workforce that is keeping the NHS on its feet and patients alive,” he said.

“This is a time at which the Government should demonstrate that it recognises the contribution of a workforce that has literally kept this country alive for the past 10 months.”

The Department for Health and Social Care’s proposals have now been submitted to the NHS pay review bodies, which will make recommendations in the early summer.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, will then make the final decision on the level of the rises, and pay for the financial year will be backdated to April. The proposals do not include junior doctors, whose pay for 2021/22 is already agreed under a multi-year deal.

A Government spokesman said: “Over one million NHS staff continue to benefit from multi-year pay deals agreed with unions, which delivered a pay rise of over 12 per cent for newly qualified nurses and will increase junior doctors’ pay scales by 8.2 per cent.

“Pay rises in the rest of the public sector will be paused this year … but we will continue to provide pay rises for NHS workers.”