Responding to the Health Secretary’s remit letter to the Pay Review Body, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
"This letter suggests the government is in denial. Ministers are in a rush to talk about next year when hundreds of thousands are saying they need action immediately and are struggling to live on the current pay award.
"The letter sends concerning signs that the government has not yet heard the voice of our members with plans to keep to the same NHS budget and curtailing the pay process to stay below inflation and give more real-terms cuts.
“The challenge is not so much a 'careful balance' but the need for a radical change of course. On the eve of the autumn statement, our members will be concerned at the government's failure to move."
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