The SCP along with other NHS Trade Unions was today invited to meet with the Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt, and Health Minister Lord Warner to hear the outcome of the Pay Review Body (PRB) for Nursing and other Health Professionals. The PRB had recommended an increase in Agenda for Change pay rates and allowances, including High Cost Area Supplements from April 1st 2006 of 2.5%, which the Government has accepted in full.
The Secretary of State apologised to the Trade Unions for the delay in advising them of the PRB outcome; this was due to the volume of other Public Sector review bodies awaiting publication.
We welcome the fact that Government have accepted the PRB recommendations and that our members will receive their pay award in full. However it does falls short of our claim for a substantial pay rise. Commenting on the Government’s announcement, Eddie Saville, SCP Director of Employment Relations stated, “ We broadly welcome the Governments announcement this morning and are particularly pleased that the independence and integrity of the PRB has been maintained”.
The Report makes a number of positive comments in relation to Equal Pay and Monitoring, Recruitment and Retention, Training and Development, and the Knowledge and Skills Framework.
Finally Eddie Saville commented, “ This above inflation pay award is the result of many months of joint working by the NHS unions and is just another reason why Society membership is so important”.
Note: the full report will be available on the SCP website Browser Window http://www.feetforlife.org within the next 24 hours.
For further information, contact:
Adam Thomas: 0845 450 3737. Email: at@scpod.org
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 30-Mar-2006
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