Unions have criticised the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) written evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) for the 2023 to 2024 pay round, calling it a “pitiful pay suggestion” and “a disgrace.”
Page 17 of the 100-page document states: “Through the current financial settlement provided by HM Treasury to the department and reprioritisation decisions, funding is available for pay awards up to 3.5%. Pay awards above this level would require trade-offs for public service delivery or further government borrowing at a time when headroom against fiscal rules is historically low and sustainable public finances are vital in the fight against inflation.”
UNISON says the pay proposal will only worsen the current pay dispute. “if the Government was actively trying to worsen the crisis in the NHS, it couldn’t have done better than this,” says Head of Health Sara Gorton. “Vacancies are at an all-time high and this pitiful pay suggestion does nothing to solve the growing staffing emergency. The Scottish government has already offered significantly more to its NHS workers. Worse still, it could prove the final straw for staff already questioning their future in the NHJS. If more leave, the outlook for patient care is beyond grim.”
GMB’s National Secretary Rachel Harrison adds: “Today’s submission to the PRB shows this Government’ true colours. Ambulance workers – and others across the NHS, including cleaners, porters and care workers – who are the backbone of the health service deserve better. Ministers have no intention of recognising the true value of the entire workforce. It’s a disgrace and will do nothing to end GMB’s NHS and ambulance strikes.”
In its written evidence, the DHSC stresses the other benefits beyond basic pay, which contribute to the total package of NHS workers. It also cautions that pay rises that exceed affordability could affect the government’s ability to deliver on other key priorities, and claims that honouring the pay awards in 2022 to 2023, which were above its affordability envelope, resulted in significant reprioritisation, resulting in a slow-down in investment in service transformation.
