Government confirms 3 per cent pay rise for NHS staff in England
The government has this evening announced a 3.0 per cent payrise for NHS staff in England after apparently failing to do so earlier today.
In a statement tonight the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that it had accepted the recommendations of NHS independent pay review bodies in full.
The pay rise covers nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists and salaried GPs.
For the average nurse, this will mean an additional £1,000 a year, while many porters and cleaners will receive around £540, the government said.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said: “NHS staff are rightly receiving a pay rise this year despite the wider public sector pay pause, in recognition of their extraordinary efforts.
“We asked the independent pay review bodies for their recommendations and I’m pleased to accept them in full, with a 3 per cent pay rise for all staff in scope, from doctors and nurses to paramedics and porters.”
Confirmation of the pay rise was expected to be announced in the House of Commons today, but health minister Helen Whately failed to mention it in her statement.
Whately then came in for criticism from shadow health secretary Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who is also a frontline NHS worker.
“Less than an hour ago there were competing briefings on what the deal was going to be but it turned out to be nothing,” Allin-Khan said.
“By refusing to offer a pay rise, the government risks workers leaving the health service, creating more vacancies, shortfalls during shifts and an increased workload for staff who remain.”
“Is this really fair on NHS staff who have been sent like lambs to the slaughter without appropriate PPE to work?”
DHSC said that the plans would be laid before Parliament tomorrow.