A real-terms pay rise for NHS workers after going above and beyond in a national crisis is demanded by Wiltshire Liberal Democrats.
“We are calling for a proper and substantial real-terms pay rise now, recognising the sacrifice and hard work of all NHS and social care workers throughout this pandemic,” said Ellen Nicholson, South West Wiltshire’s Lib Dem spokesperson stating that NHS workers went ‘above and beyond’ in a national crisis.
“The real-terms pay cut the government has put forward is an insult to all the NHS workers who have gone above and beyond during this time of national crisis. They are burned out, traumatised, and stressed after over a year caring for hundreds of thousands of severely ill Covid patients. On top of this, they have worked tirelessly to get as many people vaccinated as efficiently and as safely as possible.
“Many of us and our loved ones have seen first-hand the hard work and sacrifice that NHS staff have made – not only nurses, but everyone who has kept our hospitals and clinics and general practice running.
“The Government has consistently failed the NHS workers who have worked to keep us all safe, from dodgy PPE to the ludicrous bill for the Test and Trace system, now running to a staggering £37 billion. It is scandalous that, while some consultants earn more in one week than nurses earn in a whole year, the Government believes it is fair to cut NHS workers’ salaries.
Cllr Ian Thorn, Lib Dem Group leader on Wiltshire Council added: “Sadly, the 1% increase is another example of the Tory government only looking after themselves. School meals. Crony contracts. Nurses pay. It is a series of decisions that show where their priorities lie. Key workers have put their lives on the line every day to make sure that the country is running. This act of service needs to be rewarded with what they deserve!”