The NIPSA Health and Social Care Central Panel has met and considered the announcement from the Pay Review Body as Endorsed by Government at Westminster which identifies:
“The recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body for Agenda for Change staff is for a £1,400 payment on all pay points, which will be enhanced for the top point of Band 6 and for the pay points in Band 7 to ensure that they receive a 4% payment.”
Whilst acknowledging £1,400 is a higher percentage increase on the lowest Bands, it remains significantly lower than the increasing rate of inflation for all Bands.
The National Unions asked for an “inflation busting” Pay Rise to address the underlying issues including the Cost of Living Crisis, Recruitment, retention and Low Morale in the NHS along with acknowledging the continued commitment of staff during the Pandemic.
This Pay Recommendation yet again is a Pay Cut for members and with forecasts of continued Rising Inflation and Energy Costs the NIPSA Panel of Representatives unanimously rejected this Recommendation while the Health Joint Trade Unions in Northern Ireland released a statement including:
“The announcement from the Pay Review Body and endorsed at Westminster of a recommended consolidated sum of 1400 pound on each pay band point falls below the joint Health Unions demand for an above inflation pay rise.
Many health workers across Northern Ireland will be deeply disappointed and frustrated that the pressure of the cost of living will continue to bear down on them. Even more alarming is the fact that this recommendation comes with no additional funding and is to be met from within current budgets. What exactly this means for workers in Northern Ireland as we face more weeks and months without a government or an agreed budget is anybody's guess.
We cannot tolerate this vacuum continuing at the expense of workers and their families.
We have written immediately to Health Minister Swann urging a meeting with him and the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health to hear how they intend to address this.”
NIPSA, along with other National and Local Trade Unions, will be seeking to meet with Members to provide information and hear their views while preparing for a Ballot to challenge this Recommendation which yet again would result in a Pay Cut for members.
The NIPSA Central Panel also identified the ongoing difficulties Members continue to experience as a result of continued safe staffing issues along with the impact of rising fuel and energy costs that is negatively impacting on them and their families and will seek to ensure these are also challenged in any action going forward.
To illustrate the impact of a further pay cut which this recommendation would bring to AFC Staff in the NHS I would refer you to the following chart which identifies the impact of Pay in the NHS against Inflation between 2010 and 2022.
NHS pay losses under the Tories
|
|
Pay Scale max 2010 |
Pay required to match inflation at 31.33% over 10 years |
Actual Pay in 2020 |
Gain against inflation |
Proposed scale max 2022 (£1400 uplift) |
2022 Payscale max assuming 13% inflation |
2022 pay if adjusted for cumulative inflation |
Difference between 2022 proposed and inflation pay since 2010 |
|
Band 2 |
£16,753.00 |
£22,001.71 |
£19,337.00 |
-£2,664.71 |
£21,318 |
£22,507 |
£25,856.41 |
-£4,538.41 |
|
Band 3 |
£18,577.00 |
£24,397.17 |
£21,142.00 |
-£3,255.17 |
£23,177 |
£24,608 |
£28,671.55 |
-£5,494.55 |
|
Band 4 |
£21,798.00 |
£28,627.31 |
£24,157.00 |
-£4,470.31 |
£26,282 |
£28,116 |
£33,642.81 |
-£7,360.81 |
|
Band 5 |
£27,534.00 |
£36,160.40 |
£30,615.00 |
-£5,545.40 |
£32,934 |
£35,633 |
£42,495.70 |
-£9,561.70 |
|
Band 6 |
£34,189.00 |
£44,900.41 |
£37,890.00 |
-£7,010.41 |
£40,427 |
£44,101 |
£52,766.96 |
-£12,339.96 |
|
Band 7 |
£40,157.00 |
£52,738.19 |
£44,503.00 |
-£8,235.19 |
£47,239 |
£51,798 |
£61,997.92 |
-£14,758.92 |
|
Band 8a |
£46,621.00 |
£61,227.36 |
£51,668.00 |
-£9,559.36 |
£54,619 |
£60,137 |
£71,954.39 |
-£17,335.39 |
|
Band 8b |
£55,945.00 |
£73,472.57 |
£62,001.00 |
-£11,471.57 |
£65,262 |
£72,164 |
£86,344.96 |
-£21,082.96 |
|
Band 8c |
£67,134.00 |
£88,167.08 |
£73,664.00 |
-£14,503.08 |
£77,274 |
£85,737 |
£103,613.96 |
-£26,339.96 |
Inflation rates are taken from ONS statistics provided via the RPI time series Click Here
Sources
Statistical literacy Guide – How to adjust for inflation Click Here
Retail price index long run series Click Here
Agenda For Change Pay Rates 2020 Click Here
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