2013 Budget - RCN response

Published: 20 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (20 March) commented on the Chancellor George Osborne’s 2013 budget.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said: “Yet again hard working nurses will not find much cause for celebration in this year’s budget.

“We know that nursing staff are already struggling to keep their heads above water financially as their pay falls further and further behind the rate of inflation. The news that public sector pay will continue to be capped at 1% until 2016 means yet more financial difficulty for the UK’s nurses. 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 and we must make sure that this challenge is properly rewarded.”

-Ends -

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