Living on a knife-edge – survey reveals what a pay rise would mean to NHS employees

Being able to feed their families, afford dental treatment, repair their cars or pay off debts are some of the things that health workers could afford if the government gave them a decent pay rise, according to a survey released today (Sunday) by UNISON. UNISON says the findings expose the financial hardship suffered by NHS staff as a result of the government imposing limits on their pay. They form part of the union’s evidence to the NHS pay review body, which is due in tomorrow (Monday). Since the 1% pay cap was imposed seven years ago, NHS employees have seen their pay lose value as the gap between wage increases and the rising cost of living has grown. This fall in income has had a significant impact on the service and the workforce, as overworked staff leave for higher paid jobs elsewhere and NHS trusts struggle to attract new recruits. The survey – of 12,000 NHS employees working as cleaners, nurses, paramedics, midwives, receptionists, security, catering and other health staff – shows that more than three-quarters of respondents (78%) said a pay rise would boost staff morale and ease their financial worries (71%). Health employees who completed the UNISON survey said a pay rise would enable them support their children at university, buy healthier food, and shop without having to put back items when they get to the checkout: “It would mean I could get to the end of the month without being overdrawn. And that I could do a food shop and not have to put items back ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release Debt health health care low pay NHS Sara Gorton survey Source Type: news