Nurses bearing the brunt of the financial crisis - RCN

Published: 28 July 2011

Responding to today’s Department of Health consultation on increasing employee pension contributions, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

“The Government has clearly torn up the agreement that would have led to increasing affordability in public sector pensions. That agreement would have delivered long term savings. It appears that nurses and other public servants are now bearing the brunt of a financial crisis caused by reckless risk taking in the banking sector.

“Hard working nurses are in the middle of a two year pay freeze, inflation is soaring and they now face the prospect of paying more money into their pension next year for no additional benefit. This latest development is not just about contributions in 2012. It is the start of a process that will increase contributions even further and make nurses work until they are dropping on their feet. All this is likely to have a devastating impact on the morale of dedicated nurses.

“We believe the current cost sharing arrangements in the NHS are fit for purpose. The Government should complete and publish the 2008 NHS scheme valuation, get back round the table and have proper discussions on the costs of the scheme. It is only three years since nurses accepted fundamental changes to the pension scheme. It is also important to emphasise that the average NHS pension paid to a woman is less than £4,000 – far from the ‘gold plated’ term that is often used. This is not a fight the Government needs at this time.

“We know the strength of feeling among members and the RCN, on behalf of nurses and healthcare assistants, will vigorously defend fair pensions at all times.”
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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