RCN comment on the Chancellor’s Autumn statement

Published: 29 November 2011

For immediate release:  29 November 2011
RCN comment on the Chancellor’s Autumn statement

Responding to today’s Autumn statement, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“Imposing a one per cent cap on public sector pay is a deeply provocative and insensitive announcement by the Government, which puts industrial relations in serious jeopardy.  Nurses and healthcare assistants now effectively face another two years of pay cuts at a time when inflation is rising. We have always accepted that money does need to be saved but this latest attack on pay is another hammer blow to the morale of nurses, who are already in the middle of a two year pay freeze, and who are witnessing the NHS going through unprecedented upheaval.

“It is for the independent and expert pay review body to recommend an appropriate and fair deal for frontline workers – not the Government. Rest assured, the RCN will be considering the serious implications of these proposals with the utmost urgency.”

On the possibility of local labour markets, Dr Carter added:

“We fully support the national Agenda for Change process, which ensures local managers are not tied up in negotiations and able to focus on patient care. The suggestion that public sector pay should be made more responsive to local labour markets is a distraction and not something we would support.”

“While the Chancellor reaffirmed his commitment to protecting NHS spending, more than a year and half into the process, there is still no evidence that this is actually happening.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 02076473633, 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