Anger as Government threatens NHS workers with ‘paltry’ 1% pay rise or more cuts

Ministers’ position shows a complete disregard for NHS workers as DHSC Pay Review Body submission is six weeks late

GMB, the union for NHS workers, has slammed the Government after its evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body suggested that NHS staff could face either a pay rise of just 1 per cent – or more cuts.

The Department for Health and Social Care submission is six weeks late, which has delayed a planned decision on NHS pay which should have been implemented in April.

In the evidence, the Department stated that ‘the Government assumed a headline pay award of 1% for NHS staff. Anything higher would require re-prioritisation' of resources.

The pay of many long-serving NHS workers has been devalued by 15 per cent over the last decade of austerity and pay freezes.

And yesterday the Office for Budgetary Responsibility predicted that inflation this year would be 1.5% (CPI) or 2.5% (RPI), meaning that a 1 per cent pay rise would in fact amount to real terms pay cut.

GMB is calling on the Pay Review Body to ‘do the right thing’ and show the Government’s PRB submission the same disregard that Ministers have shown our members.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:

“This news will come as yet another kick in the teeth for NHS workers.

“A day after the Budget giveaways for some, the Government is attempting to impose either a one per cent pay rise on NHS workers or more cuts after a decade of austerity.

“Our members in the NHS have risked everything to battle the coronavirus and keep the public safe – a below inflation one per cent rise would be a paltry insult.

“NHS workers are demanding the pay justice that they deserve.

“GMB is calling on the Pay Review Body to do the right thing and show the Government’s PRB submission the same disregard that Ministers have shown our members.”