RCN comment on Government announcement on pension contributions

Published: 08 December 2011

Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“This is yet another divisive and provocative move by the Government and means that more than two thirds of nurses will now face further increased pensions contributions. The truth is these increased contributions will not go into the NHS pension scheme, but will go to the Treasury to help pay off deficits that nurses and healthcare assistants have had no part in creating.

“This is nothing more than a tax on nurses, who are already in the middle of a two year pay freeze and then effectively face two more years of pay cuts after that - at a time when inflation is soaring. Having to pay an average of an extra £30 a month on top of this is a deeply unwelcome surprise Christmas present from the Government.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 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 organizations.