RCN general secretary challenges prime minister on misleading NHS pay comment
In the House of Commons this morning, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told members of parliament that: “There has been above inflation pay rises for public sector workers, and nurses in particular have had a 12.8% pay rise in the last few years.”
The RCN has now written to the PM to clarify the facts around nursing pay and request a meeting to speak to him directly.
In the letter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair tells the prime minister: “I urge you and fellow ministers to be accurate when discussing nursing pay.
“To our members working a brutal shift today this kind of message from you is demoralising. As committed professionals, we are facing the new variant and rising levels of pressure with determination but are fast approaching burnout.
“Our members want proper recognition and fair pay – not more clapping.”
Our Fair Pay For Nursing campaign aims to secure a fully-funded 12.5% pay increase for all nursing staff covered by Agenda for Change terms, as part of a one-year deal that applies equally to all bands.
We’re inviting you to join RCN Council and committee members, and Dame Donna Kinnair for an online pay rally on 25 January 2021 and ask that you sign our petition for fair nursing pay.