More than one million NHS staff, including nurses, paramedics and midwives, will receive a pay rise of at least £1,400 with lowest earners to receive up to 9.3%, while dentists and doctors will get a 4.5% pay rise, police 5% and teachers between 5 and 8.9%.
However, the Government is on a collision course with public sector workers including nurses and teachers after announcing pay rises which were attacked as a real-terms wage cut.
One union leader warned of co-ordinated strike action in response to pay announcements by ministers, and members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England will be balloted on industrial action.
The pay rise will be backdated to April 2022.
The average basic pay for nurses will increase from about £25,600 as of the end of March 2022 to around £37,000. The basic pay for newly qualified nurses will increase by 5.5% from £25,655 last year to £27,055.
Dentists and doctors within the Doctors and Dentists’ Remuneration Body remit this year will receive a 4.5% pay rise as the government accepts the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body and the DDRB in full.
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NHS staff received a 3% pay rise last year whilst the government temporarily paused pay rises for wider public sector workers that had salaries over £24,000.
Following the latest pay rise, the average nurse’s salary has increased from £32,385 in 2018/19 to £37,000 in 2022/23.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: "This government hugely values and appreciates the dedication and contribution of NHS staff which is why we will give more than one million NHS workers a pay rise of £1,400 this year, on top of the 3% they received last year when pay rises were temporarily paused in the wider public sector. We asked the independent pay review bodies for their recommendations and I am pleased to accept them in full.
"We want a fair deal for staff. Very high inflation-driven settlements would have a worse impact on pay packets in the long run than proportionate and balanced increases now, and it is welcome that the pay review bodies agree with this approach."
But health unions said the announcement amounts to a real terms pay cut.
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leaders said in an email to hundreds of thousands of nursing staff: “This is yet another pay cut in real terms and we’re clear that nursing deserves better. Tonight, an emergency session of your elected council voted that members in England will be balloted on industrial action.
“After years of underpayment and staff shortages, the fight for fair pay must continue. Your voice in the upcoming ballot will be essential to turning the tide on low pay.
“Their announcement tried desperately to mislead the public on nursing pay. We need your help in calling it out.
“This pay award does not help you with the rising cost of living – inflation is rising much higher. It will do nothing to help to recruit or retain more nursing staff where you work. It does not recognise the skill and responsibility of the job you do. Sadly, it will not keep patients safe.”
RCM’s Executive Director Trade Union, Suzanne Tyler said: “Not only has the Government knowingly delayed a pay rise that was due in April they continue to ignore the cost-of-living crisis and the exodus of midwives. This pay award is less than half the rate of inflation and falls well short of what our members need to continue to cope with the rising cost of living and to remain working in the NHS.
"A thousand pounds of this pay increase will go on rising energy bills, with the price cap rising by £1,000 in October and then the rest will go in tax. At least this award displays some sort of acknowledgement from the Government that staff at the bottom of the NHS pay scale have been underpaid for far too long.
"That said, the solution cannot be to take from others who are also deserving of a pay rise. This is not levelling up, its levelling down.” The RCM feels that a decent pay rise if important to retaining staff."
The Government said the NHS will publish a 15-year workforce plan in due course demonstrating its continued commitment to recruiting, developing and retaining the best staff.
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