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• Cable's attack on training is anti-growth
• No compromises on health and safety under the guise of cutting bureaucracy, says Unite
• Last minute plea to chancellor over cuts to charity income
• Government’s skewed priorities on NHS pay, says Unite
• Unite to stage mass demonstration against Southampton city council's imposed cuts
• Church of England urged ‘to smell the coffee’ over employment rights, following landmark ruling in Cornwall
• Eric Pickles sends local authority workers on race to the bottom
• ‘Manufacturing is the lifeblood of our economy’, says Unite

Government’s skewed priorities on NHS pay, says Unite 

21 March 2011

The government has shown that when it comes to pay in the NHS its prefers the smart Saville Row suit of the bankers to the uniform of a hard-working nurse.

Unite, the largest union in the country, said it verged on the grotesque that the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) was marginalised by the government’s public sector pay freeze policy, while on the other hand, ministers allowed bankers’ bonuses to let rip at the 83 per cent state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Unite national officer Rachael Maskell said today (Monday 21 March): ”It is quite clear who wields the influence in the corridors of Whitehall – the well-suited investment banker – and not hardworking public sector staff, who are being made to pay, through higher taxes and reduced living standards, for the financial crisis the banking elite created in the first place.

”The £250 that this government is allowing to those NHS employees earning less than £21,000 is grossly inadequate and the fact that the vast majority of NHS staff are receiving nothing in terms of a pay increase this year (2011/2012) is insulting and mean-spirited. At the same time, the government is forcing trusts to cut staff, putting more strain on those remaining.
 
”Inflation is eroding incomes, already hit by soaring household bills.

”And, looking to the future, the ability of the PRB to come to a well-balanced judgement on the evidence before it is seriously compromised, if ministers are going to continue to step in and enforce paltry or non-existent pay deals.

”We are extremely disappointed with the decision not to continue recommending a national recruitment and retention premia for pharmacists. This is a highly skilled workforce and the NHS continues to experience high vacancy rates amongst pharmacists, who can pay off their student loan by working in the private sector after the NHS has paid to train them.”

ENDS

Notes to news editors:

For further information, please contact Shaun Noble, Unite communications officer on 07768 693940

Summary of recommendations for Unite members:

• An uplift of £250 to Agenda for Change spine points 1-15 from April 2011. 
• The PRB does not recommend a national Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) for pharmacists in Bands 6 and 7. 
• The PRB does not support a national RRP for building craft workers.