Royal College of Midwives responds to budget announcement on pay and NHS

Gill Walton, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “ Along with other NHS unions the RCM has been talking about the pressing need for a pay rise for NHS staff to make up for years of pay freezes and stagnation. The average midwife is six thousand pounds worse off today than they were because of the effects of seven years of pay restraint in the NHS. We also believe the pay structure in the NHS can be improved.

“The Chancellor’s commitment to fund the pay award that the NHS Pay Review Body will recommend for midwives, maternity support workers and other NHS staff is a positive step and shows that he and the Government have taken what we are saying on board.

“It is essential that we retain the midwives we have and recruit new midwives into the profession, with services in England facing a serious and longstanding midwife shortage. Last year a survey by the RCM found that 80% of midwives who are intending to leave the NHS would stay if they had a pay rise. A fair and decent pay award, fully funded by the Government is the key intervention the government can make to recruit, and retain, enough midwives to ensure there are enough staff to provide safe, high quality services for women and their families.  

“The Chancellor has given more money to the NHS but not enough to cope with demand.  We would hope to see more money in the future so that our maternity services and the NHS have the investment needed.”

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/.