Nurses Reject 5.5% Pay Rise, Demand Greater Recognition and Reform in the NHS Amidst Staffing and Care Concerns

Nurses turn down government's 5.5% salary increase proposal

The union representing the nurses states there is "a significant change in the resolve of nursing personnel to advocate for their own rights, their patients, and the NHS they are committed to", in light of worries about staffing levels, substandard patient care, and opportunities for professional advancement.

Monday, September 23, 2024, 3:

Nurses have turned down the government's proposal for a 5.5% salary increase, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

A substantial majority, two-thirds, of Royal College of Nursing members in England have rejected this year's pay offer, with an unprecedented 145,000 union members participating in the vote.

In a correspondence addressed to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, RCN General Secretary Professor Nicola Ranger stated, "There is a noticeable change in the resolve of nursing staff to advocate for themselves, their patients, and the NHS they are committed to."

Stay current on politics: News from the Labour Party conference

For an optimal viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

"A large number of people will back the newly established government's agenda on health and care as recently unveiled, acknowledging the identified shortcomings of the NHS. Nurses, integral to the operations and working in tandem with various professionals, are crucial to the system. The government's reform efforts will greatly depend on our ongoing endorsement for achieving their objectives."

Professor Ranger stated, "Improving and transforming the NHS requires not only adequate staffing levels but also a workforce that feels appreciated. He questioned whether nursing staff believed that the recent pay increase was a reasonable beginning, following over ten years of oversight."

"This result indicates that their standards for government performance are significantly elevated."

She mentioned that nurses have concerns regarding "shifts with insufficient staff, substandard patient care, and nursing careers stagnating at the lowest salary levels."

Following the announcement, Mr. Streeting stated that Labour recognizes the challenges nurses have faced in recent times and acknowledges the current difficulties they are experiencing.

"He stated that, after many years, nurses finally have a government that supports them," he declared, committing to collaborate with them "to overcome the most severe crisis ever faced by the NHS" and "to restore its stability."

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Politics podcast by Jack and Sam on your favorite podcast platform 👈

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy informed Sky News that for the first time in many years, Labour has provided public sector employees with a pay increase that adjusts for inflation.

She expressed that they are worthy of it and that it benefits the economy, explaining, "every pound placed in the hands of workers circulates back into our main streets, bolstering local economies."

In a statement, Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed that the government should have anticipated the nurses' response after granting junior doctors a pay increase that exceeds the rate of inflation.

Ms. Atkins voiced her concerns about the chancellor and health secretary, pointing out that their immediate choices could have enduring impacts.

She further remarked that within less than three months, government officials have halted the construction of new hospitals, abandoned enhancements in NHS efficiency, witnessed GPs commencing strike actions, been implicated in a healthcare favoritism controversy, and have now initiated a conflict involving numerous nurses and midwives.

No immediate strike, yet government officials must heed nurses' calls for action

Health correspondent

It serves as a cautionary signal.

Nurses are expressing dissatisfaction with their existing salary agreement to the government, demanding higher wages.

However, they emphasize that they are not considering a vote on industrial action and that there are no immediate plans for strike action ballots.

At this moment.

Employees have been dissatisfied with their wages for a while, and there have been ongoing discussions about potentially more strikes.

In December 2022, for the first time ever, members of the Royal College of Nursing in England participated in a strike.

The strike persisted until May 2023, at which point the college's authorization for the strike concluded.

In the same month, the NHS staff council agreed to a pay proposal from the government, even though members of the RCN turned it down.

The conclusion of the contentious disagreement left a sour taste, with numerous individuals believing that the matter was still unresolved.

The anticipation shifted towards the RCN after the new administration reached a salary agreement with the junior doctors. Therefore, the events that unfolded on Monday were anticipated.

This time around, the nurses' union is emphasizing its desire for productive discussions with government officials.

Wes Streeting states that his administration backs the nurses, marking a more favorable beginning than previous occasions.

She encouraged Mr. Streeting to move beyond issuing press statements and to detail his strategies for negotiating with nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals. She cautioned that immediate action, rather than retrospective commentary on Labour's often-voiced disapproval of the Conservatives' management of the NHS, was essential.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the denial of the proposed pay raise for nurses at the end of July, following Labour's victory in the general election.

The Royal College of Nursing noted that the participation exceeded that of two previous official votes for strikes conducted in 2022 and 2023, which had authorized up to six months of walkouts by its members.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Further reading: Chancellor commits to funding. Labour needs to clarify ambiguous policy specifics to progress beyond controversy. Starmer is urged to openly dismiss the individual responsible for the Sue Gray leak disclosures.

Stay informed about the latest developments in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Last week, junior doctors agreed to a several-year salary increase to resolve their prolonged conflict.

Different health unions have agreed to a 5.5% salary increase scheduled for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Footer for Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Channels Under Sky

Additional Websites by Sky