UNISON has stated that it was “disappointed” by the NHS Pay Review Body’s decision not to ask the Government to re-open the 3 year pay deal for health workers.
 
Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:
 
“The Pay Review Body’s decision not to call for the pay talks to be re-opened will be disappointing for nurses, midwives, paramedics and other health workers.
 
“Whilst inflation has started to come down, UNISON members entered into the 3-year deal in good faith, based on Government predictions that inflation had peaked and would fall. Yet health workers have experienced big increases in food prices and other costs over the past nine months.
 
UNISON, with other health unions, put forward compelling arguments detailing the impact of rising inflation on NHS staff, as well as pointing out the longer term problem of attracting and retaining new staff.

“We are pleased however, that the Review Body has stated that it will look again at the position in autumn 2009.”

The decision means that all rates are due to increase by a minimum of 2.4% from 1^st April 2009, with the abolition of the first pay point giving a new minimum wage in the NHS of £6.77 an hour. There will also be the removal of an incremental point in Band 5 and upward adjustments to several other pay points making the total value of the pay uplift of 2.54%.

The value of the pay uplift due on the 1^st April 2010 will be 2.5% and includes a flat rate increase of £420 for the bottom three pay bands. This however will be reviewed by the NHSPRB in autumn of 2009.

The Retail Price Index has fallen from 5% in September 2008 to 3% in November and is predicted to fall further as prices in shops and at the pumps continue to fall or stabilise. This was one of the factors that led the PRB to their decision.