, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister,
responding to the Government’s chaotic NHS pay announcement, said:
“Another day, another U-turn, and more chaos and confusion from
this government. Once again, this government has had to row back
on a shoddy, ill-thought through position, with their 1% pay rise
- a real terms pay cut - rejected by the independent pay body.
“The pay review body has done what Ministers could and would not
do - recognise that our NHS staff absolutely cannot be given a
pay cut.
“After their hypocrisy, applauding NHS workers while trying to
cut their pay, the Government must make our NHS and key workers
feel supported and valued after all they have done for us.”
Commenting on the government’s decision this evening to offer NHS
staff a 3% pay rise, as recommended by the independent Pay Review
Body, , Chief
Executive of The King’s Fund, said:
“I’m pleased ministers have agreed to the proposals made by the
independent Pay Review Body and chosen to recognise the
contribution of NHS workers through this pay rise.
“The NHS is already struggling to keep hold of staff, at a time
when services desperately need more healthcare professionals to
care for rising numbers of Covid patients and the historically
high number of people stuck on waiting lists.
“Pay is important, but it is not the only factor contributing to
high staff turnover. Even before the pandemic, many NHS workers
endured chronic excessive workload, high levels of stress, and
inadequate working conditions, all of which have a detrimental
impact on their health and wellbeing and on staff retention. Many
of these issues are mirrored in the social care sector, which is
not covered by today’s pay announcement.
“Despite these acute issues, successive governments have seen
health and care workforce pressures as a problem for tomorrow.
There is now an urgent need for a fully funded workforce strategy
to increase recruitment, tackle staff burnout, and support health
and care leaders to create compassionate and inclusive workplace
cultures that staff want to work in.
“Without such a plan, we will continue to witness the vicious
cycle that sees workforce shortages lead to overstretched staff
leaving their profession prematurely.”
