Voters of all three main political parties back an above inflation pay rise for nursing staff this year, new polling reveals today (Monday 1 April).
The move would be a decisive break with government public sector pay policy which has seen nursing staff receive multiple below inflation pay awards since 2010/11.
It comes as nursing union leader Professor Pat Cullen warns the government “don’t take nursing staff for fools” after a pay offer failed to arrive in time for the new financial year.
Today, the RCN reveals the results of extensive new polling by YouGov which shows more than six in ten (63%) voters back an above inflation pay rise for nursing staff, including a majority of Labour party, Liberal Democrat and Conservative party voters
The new polling shows all age groups, social grades, genders, and regions of England back an above inflation pay rise for nursing staff, indicating a desire for ministers to avoid delivering nursing staff yet another real-terms pay cut.
The public also raised serious concerns about the impact of nursing shortages on patient safety with 72% agreeing that “there are too few nurses to provide safe care for patients”.
The new financial year begins today, but the UK government has missed the deadline for a new pay award to nursing staff. Ministers delayed initiating the Pay Review Body (PRB) process and now Cullen says nursing staff “feel disrespected, undervalued and uncertain”.
In its submission to the Pay Review Body, the RCN demanded a “substantial and above inflation pay rise”. The College has also demanded a lump sum worth “several thousand pounds” to help recruit and retain nursing staff in England’s NHS. Both measures enjoy majority support from the public according to the polling by YouGov.
According to analysis by London Economics, the typical, experienced nurse has seen their pay fall 25% in real terms since 2010/11. Cullen says the government must “recognise the intrinsic link” between fair pay and stabilising the nursing workforce. In England’s NHS, there are over 34k unfilled nursing posts.
Last week, the British Social Attitudes survey found that public satisfaction with the NHS has hit a record low of just 24%, down five percentage points on last year and from the record high of 70% in 2010. In the same survey, staff shortages came second top (54%) as the reason for dissatisfaction with services.
Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said:
“The public trusts our profession more than any other and they overwhelmingly agree that nursing staff deserve a proper pay rise. Ministers who claim to be committed to the public’s priorities should now act upon them.
“Nursing is a highly skilled and safety critical profession, but it has been repeatedly taken for granted by politicians. Sustained attacks on pay have caused a devastating cost of living crisis amongst NHS workers and rampant workforce shortages leave staff unable to meet the needs of their patients.
“Another late, low pay award leaves our profession feeling disrespected, undervalued and uncertain. Fair pay for nursing staff is about safeguarding patient care and the future of the NHS itself. The government must recognise this intrinsic link and confirm their plans for pay as the new financial year approaches.
“Don’t take nursing staff for fools, it’s a new year and they are waiting to see what ministers will do.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
In polling conducted by YouGov of 2,125 UK Adults, when asked ‘To what extent would you support or oppose nurses being given a pay rise that is above inflation?’ the results showed 63% ‘Total Support’.
When asked by political parties that they voted for in 2019, Conservative voters (51%), Labour voters (78%) and Liberal Democrat voters (71%) either strongly support or tend to support nurses getting an above inflation pay rise.
‘Total support’ stays consistent across gender, with support amongst men at 64% and amongst women at 63%.
‘Total Support’ is strong across all age groups, including 18-24s (63%), 25-49s (68%), 50-64s (60%) and 65+ (59%).
This trend of majority ‘Total Support’ for an above inflation pay rise also stays true across social grades, countries of the UK, and regions in England.
