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Will there be money for nurses’ pay in tomorrow’s budget?

Without immediate measures to address pay and working conditions, the Government risks an exodus of NHS nursing staff

Without immediate measures to address pay and working conditions, the Government risks an exodus of NHS nursing staff

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his first Spring budget on Wednesday. Picture: Alamy

As chancellor Jeremy Hunt gears up to deliver his first Spring budget, experts are calling for him to address nurses’ and other public sector workers’ pay.

The Government has not forecast that the budget will include funding for NHS pay, but there has been speculation the chancellor may back-date some pay awards or offer one-off payments.

Think tank says chancellor needs to set out clear strategy to avoid further strikes

Policy experts and unions have all called for NHS funding to be in the 2023 budget to end bitter disputes over pay and working conditions that have swept the health service for months.

The Institute for Government (IFG) think tank laid bare the ‘dire’ state of public services and said Mr Hunt would need to set out a clear strategy on pay and the ongoing workforce crisis to avoid further strikes.

The IFG said the biggest question looming over any new money for the health service is whether it will top up NHS budgets over the next few years to fund higher pay, or will instead require that any pay increased be found in existing settlements.

With the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) proposed 3.5% increase for NHS pay next year, funded out of existing budgets, it looks unlikely that current budgets can fund the pay increased called for by unions.

Government risks exodus of NHS staff

Current talks between the DHSC and health unions also make it less likely there will be a pay announcement in the budget, but sources told Nursing Standard much-anticipated NHS workforce plans are expected to be announced.

Nurses took to the picket line outside Ilkeston Hospital in Derbyshire in January
Nurses took to the picket line outside Ilkeston Hospital in Derbyshire in January. Picture: John Houlihan

But without immediate measures to address pay and working conditions, the Government risks an exodus of NHS staff.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned the Government’s decision to hold down pay has pushed many workers out of the door and left others struggling to make ends meet

A recent survey conducted by the union found almost 40% of the 1,000 public sector workers who responded have taken steps to leave their profession to get a job in another field or are actively considering leaving.

Record numbers of unfilled vacancies

One in six workers said they were skipping meals, while 47% were cutting back on food bills.

Record numbers of unfilled vacancies – there are currently more than 47,000 vacant nursing posts in the NHS in England – and chronic underfunding has left public services ‘on their knees’, the union said.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: ‘The government must boost public service investment, including staff pay. This would ease the staffing crisis and lay the foundations for a stronger economy in the years ahead.’


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