UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Doctors and teachers in England will receive a 4% pay increase, while nurses get 3.6%, with critics warning the unfunded deal could trigger fresh strike actions.
As reported by The Guardian, around 3 million NHS workers and teachers in England risk sparking fresh union unrest across the public sector.
How Labour’s pay uplift could spark new union strikes?
Ministers have revealed pay rises for NHS staff, including 4% for doctors and teachers, 3.6% for nurses, and 5.4% for resident doctors.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson pointed out that Labour has awarded public sector workers pay increases above inflation twice since July last year.
Officials will watch how unions respond to the pay proposal and whether they reject the offer and call for strike votes.
Nurses condemned the pay award as “grotesque” because doctors received a larger increase. Teaching unions and school leaders said the government’s failure to fully fund the rise will lead to reduced spending on students.
What did Wes Streeting say about resident doctors’ pay demands?
Wes Streeting stated that resident doctors’ leaders are seeking a 10% pay increase this year. They aim to fully restore their pay’s purchasing power by 2027, following a 22% rise over the past two years.
He said,
“Despite the difficult financial situation the nation faces, we are backing our health workers with above-inflation pay rises for the second year in a row.”
Mr Streeting added,
“This government was never going to be able to fully reverse a decade and a half of neglect in under a year. But this year’s pay increases – and last year’s – represent significant progress in making sure that NHS staff are properly recognised for the outstanding work they do.”
What did Prof Nicola Ranger say about NHS pay disparities?
Prof Nicola Ranger, the head of the Royal College of Nursing, stated,
“It is a grotesque decision to again favour doctor colleagues for higher increases than nursing and the rest of the NHS.”
Last week, she warned that nurses could strike again, similar to their action in late 2022 and early 2023. This threat followed concerns that the current pay proposal won’t compensate for the 25% loss in salary value since 2010.
What did Daniel Kebede say about the government’s pay rise for teachers?
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said the government’s move to increase pay above inflation reflects the strong feelings teachers have about their salaries.
He warned that expecting schools to share the cost was a “false economy” that could lead to industrial actions in the coming months.
Mr Kebede added,
“Unless the government commits to fully funding the pay rise then it is likely that the NEU will register a dispute with the government on the issue of funding, and campaign to ensure every parent understands the impact of a cut in the money available to schools, and that every politician understands this too.”
What did Pepe Di’Iasio say about school funding and pay rise?
The Association of School and College Leaders’ general secretary, Pepe Di’Iasio, welcomed the 4% rise. He also slammed the government for failing to fully fund the award.
He added,
“If the government really thinks it will be possible to bridge this funding gap through ‘improved productivity and smarter spending’ then it is mistaken. Schools have already spent many years cutting costs to the bone and beyond.”
Will resident doctors strike again this year?
Earlier this month, junior doctors in England decided to ballot for strike action, ahead of the government’s formal pay proposal.
From next Tuesday, resident doctors will vote on whether to strike in a ballot that may give the BMA the power to act. The mandate would allow doctors to resume strikes similar to those held in 2023 and 2024.