31 May 2023 , 23:01
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NHS staff in England will receive a pay rise in their wages today backdated to April.
The Government has implemented the 5% average rise for 2023/24 agreed with a majority of trade unions despite it being below inflation.
The Royal College of Nursing is balloting to continue strikes while junior doctors have a three-day strike planned for mid-June.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “More than one million of our hard-working NHS staff will begin to receive more money in their pay packet from today, including a backlog bonus for all their efforts during the pandemic.
“We’re giving nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and other eligible staff a fair pay rise, which will see for example, band six staff getting an extra £5,000 over two years.
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Health Secretary Steve Barclay (PA)“We hugely value the work of NHS staff and the vital role they’re playing to cut waiting lists, which is one of the government’s five priorities, and recognises the work they put in day in and day out.”
The deal has split NHS trade unions in part because of the “one off payment” of 2.5% for the best paid and 8.2% for the worst paid for 2022/23.
It came on top of the 4% increase already implemented for 2022/23 but the extra was not a consolidated rise, to be built on the following year.
Unison and GMB were among the unions whose members voted to accept the deal for the majority of staff on the main NHS contract, while the RCN and Unite voted to reject.
Doctors represented by the British Medical Association are on a different contract and are still in dispute with the Government.
RCN Executive Director for Pay, Colin Poolman, said: “Our members have spoken loud and clear – their pay is far from fair and appropriate. It in no way matches the value or importance of nursing staff who have experienced a real-terms pay cut for the last decade.
“Colleagues are leaving the NHS every single day and the constant battle we face to staff the NHS properly and safely puts our patients at risk.
“This offer alone will not attract people to the nursing profession, or stop the mass exodus of experienced staff needed to keep the NHS safe.
“Nursing staff are fighting for their patients, and the very future of our NHS - not just for their pay.”
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