London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Aug 02, 2025

NHS pay: Nurses 1% pay offer 'a massive slap in the face'

NHS pay: Nurses 1% pay offer 'a massive slap in the face'

A 1% pay offer for nurses in Northern Ireland would be a "massive slap in the face", according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in NI.

The union has set up a £35m fund for possible strike action after the proposal was made for nursing staff in England.

It has called for a 12.5% pay rise.

The RCN's NI director, Pat Cullen, said the union would await the outcome of a pay review before considering its next steps in NI.

The government has said the 1% offer represents what is "affordable" at a difficult time for public finances because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Cullen, referring to the clap for carers initiative, said "it didn't take very long for government to move the claps to slaps".

She said that members, who "have carried us right through Covid... working 15-hour days on most days", were now feeling angry and let down.

"Did we anticipate this happening as quickly and to be let down as quickly? Probably not, but the government just seems to have a very short-term memory on this occasion," she added.

Pat Cullen said nurses feel let down by the government offer after their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic
Ms Cullen said the RCN had "put substantial evidence to the pay review body", which is assessing the policy in Northern Ireland.

She said she anticipated the results of this to be known by May or June.

"Let's see what will happen then", she said, referring to the potential for members to be balloted for industrial action.

The prospect of a strike comes just more than a year since NI's largest health unions agreed to end months of industrial action over a pay and staffing levels dispute.


It is almost inconceivable that health workers find themselves in a position where they are talking about strike action again.

In fact, if these threats come to fruition, an already astonishing year will be bookended by walkouts and industrial action.

In the 14 months since, health and social care workers have gone from the picket line to the front line, as they joined the fight against Covid-19.

After the most difficult of years, it does feel scarcely credible that there's friction once again over a pay rise.

The government argues that 1% is all they can offer when there is a public sector pay freeze. But this offer has triggered "dismay and anger" among health unions.

One could argue health workers have the better hand. The support of the public will have been strengthened immensely over the last 14 months and that's something governments across the UK will have to filter into their negotiations.

The pay proposal in England covers most hospital staff, but does not cover GPs or dentists.

A government spokesperson said the plan was a "real-terms increase" as the latest official inflation figure was 0.9%.

RCN general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said 1% would represent about £3.50 more per week in take-home pay for an experienced nurse.

Stormont's Department of Health said "any decision on a pay award for NI health workers will be taken after the pay review bodies make their recommendations".

"We do not intend to pre-empt those recommendations.

"Our pay award decisions can also only be taken in the context of a wider public sector pay policy set by the Department of Finance."

On Saturday, a joint statement issued by the RCN, Unison, Nipsa and Unite unions said members in NI had responded to the government proposal with "dismay and anger".

"They know their worth and value, as does the public and all those who have been cared for by them over the last year," it said.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
×