Decision on nurses' pay needs to be revisited says Assembly member

Release/Rhyddhau: 15/03/07

Contact/Cyswllt: Mick Bates
029 2089 8342/ 01686 625527/ mick.bates@wales.gov.uk 

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Montogmeryshire, Mick Bates, says the Labour Assembly Government to re-think its decision to follow England by staggering the derisory and below inflation 2.5% pay rise for Nurses throughout the year.

Mr Bates was speaking after the Scottish Executive broke ranks with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and decided that Nurses in Scotland will receive the fully recommended pay of 2.5% on 1^st April.  In contrast Nurses in Wales will receive 1.5% in April and 1% in November, leaving them £570 worse off.

"While I am sure that Nurses in Wales will be pleased for their Scottish colleagues I can't help wondering why Wales cannot do the same,"

Nurses are being asked to do more and more in the NHS and it is difficult to retain and recruit Nurses.  Delaying their pay rise is a cheap way for Gordon Brown to save a few pennies, but will do nothing to boost morale in the sector.  In addition, one in every five Nurse in Wales is still not paid through 'Agenda for Change' so this is rubbing salt into the wounds." 

"The actions of the Assembly Government in refusing to go it alone on this issue as Scotland has done is sending the wrong message to Nurses, I am appalled that Labour should under-value Nurses in this way.  Equivalent public sector workers have higher start wages and fewer responsibilities. It is time that Nurses were treated with more respect."