The public overwhelmingly support removing the Government’s cap on NHS pay, according to survey results released by 14 NHS unions.
The survey of over 2,000 people by ComRes asked if they supported removal of the cap on pay for NHS staff. A large majority (84%) supported scrapping the cap.
As well as supporting lifting the pay cap, over four in five (83%) support increasing pay for all NHS staff to meet or exceed the cost of living (The Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation).
The RPI measure of inflation recently hit a high of 3.9% per cent. In response the NHS unions called for a 3.9% pay award for NHS staff in line with RPI. NHS unions are also calling for an additional £800 to restore some of the pay lost by NHS staff over the past seven years.
In answer to another question 69% of the public supported NHS staff being paid an additional £800 on top of a pay increase that is in line with RPI inflation. This is to account for the last seven years of pay restraint.
There was also strong public support (73%) for making more funding available so the NHS Pay Review Body can recommend a pay award higher than 1% if the Government lift the pay cap.
A majority of the public (77%) also thought that low pay was one of the reasons for many staff leaving the NHS. A similar proportion (74%) thought that low pay was also a factor in young people not choosing careers in the NHS.
Royal College of Midwives director for employment relations and communications, Jon Skewes, said: “This clearly shows how much the public value our hard working midwives and other NHS staff. This Government refuses to acknowledge that NHS staff have essentially had seven years of successive pay cuts, and it has also refuses to fund a fair pay award. What the Government need to understand is that investment in NHS staff is an investment in the service the NHS gives. We need a change in policy to give NHS staff fair pay and it must be funded by Government.”
UNISON head of health, Sara Gorton, said: “This poll shows that the government needs to stop the excuses and start listening to public opinion. Just talking about selectively lifting the pay cap isn’t good enough – the government must provide funding for the fair pay award the public wants to see. People value and rely on the NHS so they understand that we cannot go on like this. They see the damage to staffing levels brought on by year after year of pay cuts. Hard-pressed NHS staff from all disciplines goes above and beyond every day to keep services running – it’s time for the government to show it values them enough to invest in them.”
Unite head of health, Sarah Carpenter, said: “Unite knows how much the NHS is valued and respected, and the results of this survey prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. We need a fully funded NHS, and our NHS staff need a fully funded, decent pay rise. How long will it take for this government to take responsibility for the mess it has created and start to put it right? It’s about respect – for staff, for patients, for people – and so far we have seen none.”
Royal College of Nursing director of member relations, Chris Cox, said: “This makes it clear how much Ministers are out of touch with public opinion, which supports our campaign. They should listen to what the public are telling them, scrap the pay cap and help to recruit thousands more nurses for a safer NHS. Experienced nursing staff are leaving in droves - not because they don’t like the job, but because they can’t afford to stay, while the next generation do not see their future in an under-valued profession."
