Two-thirds of survey say NHS staff deserve ‘decent’ pay rise

Almost two thirds of respondents said an increase of one per cent for NHS workers in England was too low.

A similar number said they would support the Government making additional resources available for a pay rise for NHS staff.

The unions pointed out that more than one million NHS workers are still waiting for a pay rise which was due on April 1.

A recommendation from the NHS Pay Review Body will be made 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.

“If politicians ignore NHS workers and the public, it’s inevitable more nurses will leave the profession – with patients and the wider public suffering as a result.

“The public will hold the Government to account for the failure to address the pay crisis and the tens of thousands of vacancies.”

Royal College of Midwives general secretary Gill Walton said: “NHS staff work selflessly around the clock to ensure safe care, often working unpaid hours. The Government must recognise that, and reverse years of pay stagnation meaning most staff are worse off now than they were a decade ago.

“If the Government wants to retain NHS staff and recruit more, it must really value them. Better pay is affordable and has public support.

“I urge the Government to show it cares for and values them by awarding a decent deal.”