The meagre 1% pay rise for nurses announced in Rishi Sunak’s budget is appalling and shows an utter lack of gratitude for nurses’ incredibly hard work by the Conservative Government. Nurses are heroes of Covid-19, yet with inflation, their wages will actually decrease in real terms after the pandemic.

The lack of pay rise for nurses has rightly caused public outrage across the country. It is especially shocking given that £200,000 of taxpayers’ money has been spent renovating Boris Johnson’s Downing Street home, £340,000 of taxpayers’ money has been paid in damages to staff bullied by Home Secretary Priti Patel, and an extra £17 billion has been put towards the failed Test and Trace service.

The Budget shows that the Conservative Party does not have British citizens’ interest at its heart.

The meagre pay rise is no way to treat the nurses who have sacrificed their health and wellbeing to help so many during these difficult times. Without nurses, the effects of Covid-19 on the UK would undoubtedly be far worse. They deserve appropriate recognition for their work – not just gestures and goodwill, but a pay rise that will actually make a difference to their lives.

Speaking on the matter, Luke Pollard said:

“This pay rise is pitiful. No wonder the Chancellor tried to hide it in the small print to his budget. After the year NHS staff have just had a real terms pay cut is an insult and a real slap in the face. Ministers need to realise that clapping for key workers does not pay their bills.

 

“I speak for the vast majority of Plymouth when I say that key workers should get a decent pay rise.”