Thank you to all of my constituents who have contacted me about NHS pay. 

We owe the brave staff on the very front line of the fight against COVID-19 our heartfelt thanks. 

In his budget speech, the Chancellor made clear the scale of the debt which the UK now faces as a result of the pandemic. In these circumstances, the Government believes that a 1 per cent pay rise for NHS staff is the most that can be offered. It is also important to remember that all but the lowest paid workers across the public sector have had their pay frozen for 2021/22. 

I know that the Independent Pay Review Bodies will make recommendations in late Spring, when they will be considered by the Government. However, the Government is keen to not currently pre-empt these recommendations.

The Government has also made a significant contribution in the NHS workforce already, including £513m in professional development and increased recruitment, £30m on staff mental health support including wellbeing hubs and occupational health support, and the new bursary programme giving at least £5,000 each year to new nursing, midwifery, and Allied Health professional students.

I will, of course, continue to monitor this issue closely, and thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

With kind regards, 

Fiona Bruce MP