Nursing staff top the list of public sector professions that should be paid more according to the public, new polling from YouGov has revealed. Findings also show that the majority of the public believe the UK government doesn’t ‘value’ nursing staff.
The findings come just days after the RCN launched the largest ever consultation of its members over this year’s 3.6% pay award, among the lowest in the public sector.
A high turnout is already being seen with tens of thousands of nursing staff having voted in the consultation’s first days. Overall, 345,000 members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be asked whether they believe this year’s award is enough.
YouGov’s findings from over 2,000 adults across Great Britain show that 75% of the public believe that nurses should be paid more. This is higher than for doctors (45%), teachers (55%), the armed forces (50%), the police (47%) and civil servants (15%).
YouGov also found that two-thirds (66%) believe that the UK Government doesn’t value nursing staff very much or at all.
The findings call into serious question the UK government’s decision to award NHS staff a pay rise below the rest of the public sector.
Earlier this month, the government announced a 3.6% pay award for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England, with an identical award made in Wales. In Northern Ireland, the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has announced his wish to implement the 3.6% award but this is yet to be agreed.
RCN members working in the NHS will determine the College’s next steps, which could include a ballot for strike action.
Responding to the YouGov findings, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger, said:
“These findings show the government is out of step with the public. Whoever you speak to, people overwhelmingly want nursing staff paid fairly, but yet again ministers put us at the back of the queue behind other professions. Treating nursing like this is disrespectful and bad for the NHS too.
“Sorting nursing pay isn’t just about fairness and the cost of living but what is best for patients. The government won’t deliver on the NHS 10-year plan without enough nursing staff and moving care from hospitals to communities will be unachievable.
“The government cannot continue to give the impression that NHS workers must strike if they want fair pay. Nobody wants to be on the picket lines this year but without progress the government is creating that risk. They have the opportunity now to do the right thing by properly addressing nursing pay.”
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Notes to editors
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,204 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th - 9th June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
