NHS nurses’ pay should be capped at 3.5% next year, say ministers

Message to pay review body branded a sick joke that will escalate strikes, as union and government prepare to meet in bid to break 2022-23 pay stalemate

The Westminster government has recommended a pay rise of no more than 3.5% for NHS nurses next year.

Last night the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) submitted evidence late to the NHS Pay Review Body (RB) for the 2023-24 pay round – six weeks past the deadline. It said a sustainable pay award was vital to battle inflation and suggested a pay rise of no more than 3.5% would be fair to healthcare staff.

The move came after ministers and the RCN announced they will meet today to discuss the continuing dispute over the 2022/23 pay offer of £1,400 for NHS staff.

• RELATED: NHS nurses’ strikes suspended pending ‘intensive’ pay talks

Suppressing nurses’ pay from April will fuel spring of NHS strikes, predicts union leader

Unison called the pay offer a ‘sick joke’ that would accelerate strikes, after figures published on Tuesday show the government had a tax surplus of £5.4 billion in January.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘On the day when figures show that the country can well afford to meet NHS workers’ pay expectations, the government is trying to force another year of wage cuts in the NHS.

‘This will only accelerate a spring of NHS strikes. This government either does not care about our NHS, its staff and patients, or has a more sinister future in mind for the service.’

• RELATED: Nurses’ pay dispute: your quick guide to what’s being offered, where

The evidence to the RB, published yesterday, goes on to say an offer higher than 3.5% would have a ‘material impact’ on health services, with NHS budgets already tight as a result of COVID-19 testing, surveillance and treatment ‘architecture’, and the 2022-23 pay deal.

Strikes suspended pending pay talks

Nurses were planning to strike for 48 hours next week, but industrial action was suspended as the RCN and health and social care secretary Steve Barclay meet today for pay talks.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen told Sky News on Tuesday evening she is confident about reaching a pay agreement.

But following revelations about the government’s stance on the 2023-24 pay offer, some nurses have reacted with anger calling the offer an insult.

• RELATED: No pay rise in April due to ‘intolerable’ government delay

Nurse Harry Eccles said: ‘It suggests they have no respect for nurses, and no desire to fix the NHS crisis and un-safe staffing.

‘If the government our (sic) disingenuous – we need to return to the picket line in full force.’

Ken Spearpoint added: ‘Suggests to me that the ‘intensive discussions’ are going to be a waste of time.’

Suggests to me that the ‘intensive discussions’ are going to be disingenuous a waste of time @theRCN

— Ken Spearpoint RN 💙 (@K_G_Spearpoint) February 21, 2023

And intensive care nurse Lara Capybara urged ministers to negotiate ‘as if they value nurses’.

I think that won't stop nurses leaving. It certainly won't recruit and even more importantly retain enough nurses with in-depth experience, knowledge and skill. The negative impact of this on our patients could be avoided if the govt negotiate as if they value nurses or the NHS.

— Lara Capybara RN 🌈 (@Laracapybara) February 21, 2023

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