MPs urged to speak out against regional pay in Westminster debates

Published: 06 November 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling on MPs to fight for the NHS on Wednesday (7 November) and speak out against regional pay. The call comes as MPs prepare for two debates on regional pay in Parliament.

The Westminster Hall debate provides MPs with an opportunity to debate local or national issues and to receive a response from a government Minister. Opposition Day debates involve a vote of the whole House.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:

“It is time for MPs across the country to speak up for nurses and reject regional pay. For months the RCN has shown that there are no benefits to it while the dangers posed are numerous and this has been backed up by the Liberal Democrats voting against it during their conference.

“Regional pay will not save the economy. How can it, when you weaken the spending power of the largest workforce in the UK? All that will happen is that low pay will be entrenched in the most economically deprived areas of the country. The impact on patients will be substantial and they will be severe, creating a skills drain in local areas and putting patient care at risk.

“What these plans amount to is an attack on the hard work of nurses. They are already in the middle of a two year pay freeze, increased pension costs and huge pressures due to sustained cuts to jobs. This economic crisis was not of their making yet they are being made to pay the price for it.

“We urge the public to get in touch with their MPs and call on them to represent current and future patients of the NHS and the nurses in their constituencies and send a loud message to the Government that regional pay is not the answer.”