The UK government has announced a 3.3% pay rise for NHS staff in England and Wales, covering around 1.5 million health workers, including nurses, midwives, and physios.
This award, which is more than the Department of Health and Social Care's initial proposal, will be implemented in the next financial year, according to a report by the BBC.
The rise is still below the current level of consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 3.4%, which measures how prices have risen in the past year, prompting criticism from health unions.
Reaction from Health Unions
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Prof Nicola Ranger said: "A pay award below the current level of inflation is an insult. Unless inflation falls, the government is forcing a very real pay cut on its NHS workers."
Helga Pile, head of health at Unison, the biggest health union, added: "Hard-pressed NHS staff will be downright angry at another below-inflation pay award."
Government Response
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "This government hugely appreciates the incredible work of talented staff across our NHS."
The government stated that the pay rise would be in pay packets by the start of April, but gave no indication when the announcement about doctors' pay would be made.
Pay Review and Negotiations
The pay review body recommendation of a 3.3% rise also applies to Northern Ireland, but there has been no decision made yet on what will happen there, although ministers have indicated they want to give the pay rise if the budget allows.
The government is currently in talks with the British Medical Association about the pay of resident doctors, with BMA members recently voting in favour of strike action, giving them another six-month mandate for walkouts.
