I am very sorry to see some NHS staff deciding to take industrial action on the Agenda for Change contracts which cover 1m NHS staff.
This is a complex situation and absolutely everyone has admiration for NHS staff, whether a doctor, nurse, paramedic, porter, cleaner etc. I hope we can find a way through this as quickly as possible, especially with the direct impact on patients. The SoS for Health remains committed to continue discussing a way through with the Unions.
As it stands, the Independent Pay Body recommended an increase of at least £1,400 this year. Newly qualified nurses have had a 5.5% increase and those on the lowest salaries, such as porters and cleaners, are seeing a pay rise of up to 9.3%. This follows a 3% increase last year when wider public sector pay was frozen.
If we overrule / ignore the Independent Pay Body recommendations, we will then face the same concessions from every part of the Public Sector – something we simply cannot afford. The UK economy has had to weather the impact of Covid and now the impact of rising energy costs following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. As it stands, we now carry a £2 trillion debt, with the debt interest alone greater than we spend on either our Defence or Education budgets. Any movements on spending will mean yet more borrowing, which is more money for our children (and their children) to have to pay back.
We absolutely understand the cost-of-living pressures, this applies to everyone. Therefore, we brought forward the comprehensive Energy Support schemes providing at least £1,600 of direct support to households, with additional top ups for those most in need. Thankfully we expect both energy prices and inflation to start falling throughout 2023.
NHS funding is now at a record high. We have increased it by £920m per week since we came to office – a real terms increase of 40%, though we all know there needs to be better integration, better outcomes and money needs to be better spent. This is perhaps the way through. We need sensible, pragmatic discussions that can unlock benefits for both staff and patients. This could and should be both linked to our aims to recruit an additional 50,000 nurses and through greater integration with our Social Care partners, something we do very well in Swindon.
With this is mind, Robert Buckland MP and I visited First City Care Group on Wednesday to meet with frontline Care staff to talk about their experiences, what inspired their career choice and their suggestions on how further integration / collaboration across the NHS and Local Authorities can continue to improve outcomes. Both Robert and I were impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm. It is clear that greater collaboration will unlock both better outcomes and make sure there is more money for frontline staff – this is key, and this is what we will continue to feed into Ministers.
As Christmas approaches, I would like to extend my thanks to Sally Robertson, the Vicar of St Andrews Church for organising a wonderful set of Christmas carols across the Northern Sector Village Centres on Wednesday evening. Not only did my girls thoroughly enjoy them very much, but what a joyous welcome for all the respective shoppers.
Finally, may I wish all readers a very Merry Christmas!
