RCN responds to 2013 budget

Published: 20 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has said nursing staff will continue to struggle financially in light of announcements made in Chancellor George Osborne’s 2013 budget.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said hard working nurses will find little to celebrate. “We know nursing staff are already struggling to keep their heads above water as their pay falls further and further behind the rate of inflation,” he said.

“The news that public sector pay will continue to be capped at one per cent until 2016 means yet more financial difficulty for our members. This also continues to undermine the principle of an independent pay review body.

“With falling staffing levels, declining staff morale and rising demand, it has never been more challenging to work in the health service. We must make sure that this challenge is properly rewarded,” he stressed.