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Midwives’ pay dropping dramatically says RCM on letter to Chancellor

By RCM on 22 November 2016 Pay and Agenda For Change

15 NHS trade unions - including the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – have written to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement, urging him to reconsider the Government’s cap of 1% on the pay increase for NHS staff.

The RCM along with the other NHS trade unions is calling on the Government to stop putting pressure on the NHS Pay Review Body to keep potential pay awards to NHS staff to a maximum of 1%.

Commenting on the letter, Jon Skewes, Director for Policy, Employment Relations and Communications, said: “Over half a decade of pay restraint has seen the value of the pay of hardworking midwives drop dramatically.   This, coupled with changes to NHS terms and conditions, pensions and increases to national insurance, means they are struggling to make ends meet.

“The Government takes the hard work and dedication of NHS staff for granted. It is these same staff whose commitment to the people they care for is stopping the NHS from imploding.

“If a midwife’s salary had increased by the Retail Price Index inflation since 2010 their salary would be over £6,000 higher than it is now. If the projected pay restraint continues to 2020, as the Government intends, the difference will rise to over £9,000. This is a shameful way to treat the staff who keep the NHS afloat.

“The RCM is calling for the Pay Review Body to scrap the public sector pay cap and recommend an inflation-proofed pay award for midwives and other NHS staff.”

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456 or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.

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