RCN responds to budget
Published: 22 April 2009
Following today's budget RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said:
"This budget includes welcome steps to tackle the impact of the recession on the health of the nation. We know that losing your job can often be the tipping point which can lead to isolation and poor health, so I welcome moves to ensure that young people facing long-term unemployment will be helped into jobs and placements.
It is also vital that the most vulnerable do not suffer from the effects of the economic downturn. Families with children will be helped to meet the rising costs of living by the additional child tax credits and by help with mortgage payments, and the increases in winter fuel payments will also help to keep older people healthy during the winter.
Nurses will also welcome the Chancellor's commitment not to cut front-line services as a quick fix for the economic situation. However, the NHS is making a large contribution to the cost savings announced in this budget, and we cannot allow the quality of health care to suffer for the sake of short term savings. The NHS is vital in protecting the people on the sharp end of the economic downturn."