Dozens of Aylesbury Vale nurses call on Government for pay rise
The Royal College of Nursing is holding a virtual rally at 6.30pm
Last updated 25th Nov 2020
Aylesbury Vale nurses are among hundreds in the South East to call on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to increase their pay as part of a spending review this week.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) wants a 12.5% pay rise for nurses, claiming members feel “undervalued” and that they are being driven out by “poor pay levels”.
Mr Sunak imposed a public sector pay freeze in his Spending Review today, but explained that NHS nurses and doctors are exempt.
This however, is not good enough according to Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing:
“The Chancellor addressed a pay rise for nursing but did not deliver one today. He had the opportunity to recognise and reward the expertise and dedication of UK nursing staff today and respond to calls for an early and significant pay rise.
"The level of pay rise that government agrees must reflect the true skills and value of nursing. For now, they continue to be worse off than 10 years ago.
“Nursing staff across the board will oppose plans to freeze the pay of equally skilled professionals. Those working in social care and the community deserve a pay boost as much as their NHS colleagues.
“All parts of the health and care system are trying to run without proper funding and staff – most notably social care, public health and mental health services, all put under significant extra strain this year.
“So while today's investment in the NHS and social care in England is welcome, that money will only truly benefit patients if there are enough nursing staff to treat them.
“The Chancellor was one of millions on doorsteps to clap carers this year. Unlike others, he had the power to turn warm words into deeds – but today, he has failed to act.”
Across Aylesbury Vale’s two constituencies, 49 RCN members have written to their MPs calling for a pay increase in recognition of their work.
The breakdown of letters from RCN members in each constituency from November 23 is:
Aylesbury: 28 Buckingham: 21 Across the South East, 1,679 RCN members have written to their MPs, as well as 82 non-members. They help make up the 15,833 who have written to their MP nationally.
The RCN says the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with staffing shortages, has shown the public how deserving nurses are of “fair pay”.
NHS figures for June this year show the vacancy rate for nurses in the South East was 11%, up from 9.9% in March.
The RCN, which wants the 12.5% pay rise for all nursing staff, is holding a virtual rally in support of its Fair Pay for Nursing campaign.
Tonight the RCN are holding a Virtual Rally, and are asking for people to support them in their call for a pay rise.