Key NHS leaders, from many UK Trusts, have expressed their support for the proposal to freeze pay increments for all NHS staff, both clinical and non-clinical, for two years, in return for a commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies for over 80% of NHS staff.
If accepted, the proposal would provide a national enabling framework which would allow local agreement by individual NHS trusts and would save an estimated £1.9 billion or 2.1 % of the NHS pay bill. Dean Royles, director of NHS Employers, said: “This is a vitally important deal for the NHS and it is essential that there is mature and informed debate on the issues. Organisations are facing extremely difficult decisions as they try to deliver efficiencies on an unprecedented scale. “For most organisations, the pay bill represents 60% to 70% of their spend. So we need a robust discussion between employers and their staff and local trade unions, about the financial situation and the pressures on the pay bill. “What this deal does is protect the jobs of the bulk of the NHS workforce while securing savings to improve the prospects of those who don’t fall within the terms of this deal. “The reality is that if we do not secure a deal there will be compulsory redundancies and organisations will need to make changes in terms and conditions locally to minimise job losses and protect patient services. But they will have to try to do that without the benefit of this enabling framework and are likely to face considerable resistance.”
