2012 Budget – RCN response

Published: 21 March 2012

Speaking in response to Chancellor George Osborne’s 2012 Budget, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“Nurses were looking for a silver lining in this Budget but they are unlikely to find it. The rising cost of petrol, a two year pay freeze, and an attack on their pensions are all making nurses feel the pinch every day. We do welcome the rise in personal allowances but we will fiercely resist any move away from national pay rates for nursing staff. Introducing regional pay would only serve to drive down pay in certain areas and lead to damaging competition between Trusts. Ultimately it is patients who would suffer.

“This budget paints a mixed picture for the health of the nation. On the one hand we welcome measures including a rise in tax on cigarettes. However, the government has indicated that it plans to make dramatic cuts to welfare payments. We know that when people fall on hard times demand for healthcare rises. With the NHS in England struggling to save £20 billion and amidst a time of massive restructuring, now is the time to invest in our health service. We will now be looking at the detailed supporting documents and commenting further in due course.”

Notes for Editors

1.For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.