- 16 May 2022
- 2 min read
NHS Nurses pay rise 2022: government falls behind schedule for second year running
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"A recently published survey found that under 6% of midwives felt that there were enough staff within their service to do their job properly – down from 18% in 2020."Officially, all NHS staff should have had a pay rise confirmed and in place for 1 April 2022. That’s how the Agenda for Change system should work.
But as we enter early summer in the UK, it’s looking suspiciously like there will be serious delays in decisions being made – just like last year.
In 2021, Nurses’ pay rises weren’t confirmed until late July.
So, are there any signs that a decision is coming?
“Up to 3%”
The government suggested in February that NHS workers would receive a 3% pay rise at the most – and no formal announcement has come since.
But in the last few months, the cost-of-living crisis has worsened – and inflation has risen sharply.
Mortgage rates are rising, and energy bills are at a historic high. And international instability is having a negative effect on the price of almost everything.
Various unions are trying to capitalise on the worsening situation, pressuring the government to make a decision that’s more in-line with inflation. Because at this point, 3% looks like a real-terms drop in wages.
400 NHS staff quitting every week
13 health unions have joined forces to pressure the government into a more generous pay increase, coming under the banner of ‘With NHS Staff’.
In a recent letter, they also stated that one in 10 NHS posts is currently vacant and that 400 staff are quitting every week.
They’ve also drawn a clear link between pay challenges and the growing struggle to attract and retain staff. Unions have also highlighted specific challenges in midwifery in relation to pay.
A recently published survey found that under 6% of midwives felt that there were enough staff within their service to do their job properly – down from 18% in 2020.
The study suggests that staff shortages might be even more pronounced in midwifery that in nursing.
Ultimately, the delays in the government’s decision are making a difficult situation even worse.
About this contributor
Nurses.co.uk Founder
I launched Nurses.co.uk (and subsequently Socialcare.co.uk, Healthjobs.co.uk and Healthcarejobs.ie) in 2008. 500 applications are made every day via our jobs boards, helping to connect hiring organisations recruiting for clinical, medical, care and support roles with specialist jobseekers. Our articles, often created by our own audience, shine a light on the career pathways in healthcare, and give a platform to ideas and opinions around their work and jobs.
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Log In Subscribe to commentNatasha Dennis
Natasha Dennis
2 years agoI have worked, breathed and adored the NHS for years but after looking at my pay check this month after ... read more
I have worked, breathed and adored the NHS for years but after looking at my pay check this month after all i went through and seeing it 200 pound down i cried. I have made the decision to go private and i have found a job within a week. its basically what i do now but for for 15000 more a year, they pay my mileage, offer free meals, they will pay my pin and the jobs is less stressful. Just joined three agencies also and will return to the NHS as a decent paid agency worker, how they do not see the error in their ways is beyond me.
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I(and many others)completely understand Natasha. It really does beggar belief. Everyone loses really - tax payer, nurses, NHS. I guess agencies don't lose! But, you're right - how the NHS / Government... read more
I(and many others)completely understand Natasha. It really does beggar belief. Everyone loses really - tax payer, nurses, NHS. I guess agencies don't lose! But, you're right - how the NHS / Government can't see that they will lose out is incredible. I just put a report together that shows 11% of the money spent on the workforce goes to agency / bank fees to cover the shortage of staff. Invest in retention and that 11% can stay in the NHS and you have hundreds of thousands of staff who feel recognised and supported too. Simple investment strategy.
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Thomas Boyle
Thomas Boyle
2 years agoI work for a private provider in an NHS hospital. We recieved our award on time, as we did last ... read more
I work for a private provider in an NHS hospital. We recieved our award on time, as we did last year, I was not aware that was not happening in the wider NHS. It is another cycnical ploy by this goverment to save money, the next thing you know they will be staging the raise to save even more, as was done during the Blair goverment. Is the scottish goverment, which said that it would implement all the pay review bodies recomendations, paying them on time? I know that they already earn more north of the border.
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