Responding to the Chancellor's Spending Review, Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said:
“The Chancellor addressed a pay rise for nursing but did not deliver one today. He had the opportunity to recognise and reward the expertise and dedication of UK nursing staff today and respond to calls for an early and significant pay rise.
"The level of pay rise that government agrees must reflect the true skills and value of nursing. For now, they continue to be worse off than 10 years ago.
“At a time when many experienced nurses are burnt out, exhausted and considering leaving the career they love, the link between unfair pay, staffing levels and safety becomes even more stark.
“Nursing staff across the board will oppose plans to freeze the pay of equally skilled professionals. Those working in social care and the community deserve a pay boost as much as their NHS colleagues.
“All parts of the health and care system are trying to run without proper funding and staff – most notably social care, public health and mental health services, all put under significant extra strain this year.
“So while today's investment in the NHS and social care in England is welcome, that money will only truly benefit patients if there are enough nursing staff to treat them.
“The Chancellor was one of millions on doorsteps to clap carers this year. Unlike others, he had the power to turn warm words into deeds – but today, he has failed to act.”
Ends
The RCN has today launched a petition to demand fair pay for nursing after the chancellor failed to fund a pay rise for nursing staff in his spending review.
The petition calls on the prime minister to tackle nursing vacancies by paying staff fairly for their essential work.
