Ashfield council leader speaks out about his anger of nurses pay rise delay

Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP has given the NHS Pay Review Body a deadline of “early May 2021” to submit a report on nurse’s pay.

In his letter to the NHS Pay Review Body he said: “The affordability of pay recommendations will have to be considered within the context of the significant financial and economic pressures that have resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic, both within the NHS and wider public finances.”

Coun Jason Zadrozny said: “In the height of the first wave we all stood clapping for our NHS and key workers.

"The Government promised a pay rise as soon as possible. Now we find out that this pay rise will not happen until the summer at least.

"It is a travesty to all our brave nurses and NHS staff who put their lives on the line. Nurses at Kings Mill Hospital in Sutton talk to me about the horrors they continue to face on a daily basis.

"The failure of the Government to keep their promise to our NHS is appalling.

"The chancellor and health secretary need to do the right thing, keep their promises and fund a decent wage increase now. This is a disgraceful way to treat NHS staff still working through the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At Ashfield District Council, we have reduced councillor’s allowances by £100,000 over the term of office to show support for our NHS and other public sector workers.”

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