Government disregarding hardworking NHS staff says RCM on TUC pay report

By RCM on 18 January 2017 NHS Pay Review Body Pay and Agenda For Change

Today the TUC have released a report saying that workers in the public sector including midwives face real pay falls of thousands of pounds by 2020. Commenting on the report, Jon Skewes, Director for Policy, Employment Relations and Communications, said: “This is yet more evidence that our hard working midwives and other NHS staff are being hit hard by a significant fall in their earnings, at a time when the costs of living are rising.

At the same time this Government is expecting these already hardworking staff to be even more productive than they already are and cope with increasing demands with fewer staff and resources.

“These workers have already taken a hit on their pensions, paying more for less and for longer, and a hit on their pay, yet the Government still insists that their pay award is kept to a maximum of 1%. This shows a total disregard for the contribution NHS staff make, and the physical, emotional and mental sacrifices they make to keep our NHS working.”

“We call again on the Government to give the NHS Pay review Body the freedom and independence to determine what the pay award should be four our NHS staff.”

The latest RCM’s evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body can be read at https://www.rcm.org.uk/supporting/pay.

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/.