Health workers pay slashed by £1000s in real terms since 2010, GMB analysis shows

Nurses, call handlers and ambulance workers among hardest hit as GMB calls for end to pay progression element of pay rise

Health workers have had their pay slashed by thousands of pounds in real terms since 2010, according to GMB analysis.

The figures emerge as the Conservatives attempts to cut their NHS staff pay yet again with a ‘miserly’ below inflation position of just 1%.

Between April 2010 and April 2021, staff nurse pay will have been devalued by more than £6,000 a year when compared to inflation.

Ambulance technicians’ pay has gone down by almost £5,000, call handlers’ by almost £3,000, and an experienced speech and language therapist’s by a whopping £9,000.

GMB says it is time for Ministers to stop pretending pay progression is enough - the 50% of at the top of their pay spine get less than nothing.

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Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said:

“The Prime Minister needs to listen to the fury of NHS workers.

“After a decade of having their pay cut, and a year on the covid frontline keeping us all safe, they’ve been hit with yet another pay cut. No wonder they are angry.

“Mr Johnson could allay health workers’ fears - instead he’s just adding to the resentment and anger.

“Ministers must stop pretending pay progression alone is enough - more than half of NHS staff are on the top of their pay grade so essentially get nothing.

“GMB calls on the Prime Minister to commit to fully fund a proper pay uplift, one that recognises the sacrifices made by NHS staff.”