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Nurses urged to join virtual march on Downing Street in pay protest

Online event on 22 April will demand government reconsider recommendation for 1% pay rise
Downing Street

Online event on 22 April will demand government reconsider recommendation for 1% pay rise

The virtual march will travel around the UK to arrive at 10 Downing Street Picture: iStock

Nurses are being urged to join a virtual march on Downing Street on 22 April to demand the government reconsider its suggested 1% pay rise for NHS staff.

Organised as part of the RCN’s Fair Pay For Nursing campaign, the march starts at 8pm and will use Google Earth to map a route around the UK to Number 10. The virtual event will be led by comedian and actor Felicity Ward, with speakers in towns and cities along the route presenting the case for a significant pay rise for the profession.

RCN wants 12.5% pay rise for all UK nursing staff

The government’s formal submission to the independent Pay Review Body (RB), which advises ministers on NHS pay, recommended that staff on Agenda for Change contracts should receive a 1% pay rise.

The college is campaigning for a 12.5% pay rise for all UK nursing staff and recently set up a £35 million industrial action fund – the first such move in its history – to support nursing staff if they choose to vote for action in any ballot. Online training for members on how to campaign for changes to pay and conditions has also been set up.

The RB is due to report back to the government in May with its advice on pay for NHS staff.

Nurses in Scotland are currently being balloted on a proposed 4% pay rise offered by the Scottish Government, with the RCN advising its members to reject the offer. The RCN ballot is open until 5 May, along with a vote by unions GMB and Unison.


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