Unions and MPs have called on ministers for more clarity on exactly how the £2.5bn payroll deal for NHS workers will be funded.
Health Minister Steve Barclay issued a statement on Tuesday to reassure more than a million nurses, emergency workers and other union members who voted on a wage proposal that halted months of strikes in the NHS.
Mr. Barclay emphasized that the money would come from “additional funding” from the Treasury and “reprioritization of existing budgets” and that “this proposal will not affect first aid or quality of care.”
The salary agreement agreed earlier this month includes a one-time six percent bonus for 2022-2023 and a five percent pay increase for the upcoming fiscal year. Union members have about four weeks to vote.
Rishi Sunak, speaking before the Community Relations Committee on Tuesday, also called for “additional funds” for the deal, but said he “does not want to interfere in negotiations between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance.”
Labor MP Meg Hillier, chair of the House of Commons Accounts Committee, said NHS trusts needed to be confirmed now with just one week left of the current fiscal year.
Ms Hiller said hospitals need to take “a lot of money” “from their frontline budgets” without being sure how the pay rise would be funded, adding: “How do you expect them to even the circle? “
The Prime Minister replied: “There will be additional money, as there will always be a reprioritization.”
In a statement to reassure union activists, Mr Barclay said: “This week nurses, paramedics, physical therapists and other non-medical NHS workers will start union voting on the government’s salary proposal – a very positive step after weeks of constructive negotiations.
“This fair and balanced proposal recognizes the important role these hardworking NHS workers are playing in defending our commitment to halve inflation, and I urge union members to accept our proposal.
“I am working with the Treasury Department to ensure that my department has the funds needed to fully fund this salary proposal, including additional funds and reprioritization of existing budgets. This is in addition to the existing funds that we have already allocated to raise wages to 3.5 percent in 2023-2024.
“I want to be clear: this proposal will not affect core services or quality of service.”
GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison said: “The NHS is underfunded and the government has agreed to put more money into the NHS salary offer as a condition to start negotiations.
“If reports of additional net money are correct, this would be welcome, but it is time to put an end to the series of confusing statements from various departments.
“We will continue to deliver on the government’s promise to fund a compensation system that our members can accept without cutting back on already overstretched services.”
Source: I News
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