Pay offer of 2.4% in 2009/10 and 2.25% in 2010/11 is part of a pay package that is worth 7.99% on pay bill over 3 years

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Date: May 2008

The Government today put forward its pay offer for NHS staff in response to the decisions of the NHS pay Review body (see notes below). Sharon Holder, GMB National Officer for GMB members working in the Health Service commenting on NHS pay offer said, “GMB members working in the NHS will now be consulted on this new pay offer. GMB members will be sent full details of the proposed multi year agreement comprising of other changes to pay, future talks on a changes of the NHS pay system and other non pay elements for their consideration. GMB members are likely to be disappointed that the offer falls below the headline inflation rate.

GMB members will welcome the decision by the NHS Pay Review Body to recommend for 2008/9 a 2.75% pay award for NHS workers in the face of demands from the Labour Government for 2%. This offer comes as part of a three year deal and will only be implemented in full if the members accept the full three year package.

Last year’s decision to pay the NHS pay award in stages was both divisive and unnecessary. GMB is particularly pleased to see that this year’s award will be honoured by the Government in full and will not be staged if the members accept the offer.”

Contact: Steve Pryle, GMB Press Officer on 07921 289 880

Notes to Editors

Proposed multi year agreement

The proposed multi-year agreement is worth 7.99% on the pay bill over three years.

* Pay uplifts

The NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendation for 2008/9 of an uplift of 2.75% will be honoured in full. The proposed pay uplift for NHS staff for 2009/10 is 2.4% and 2.25% in 2010/11.

* Other changes to pay

It is proposed a further 0.59% is made up by making changes to incremental points to staff employed in bands 1, 5 and 6. It is also proposed that there is a flat rate increase in 2010/11 (the year of the lowest increase) of £420.

In addition, we have won a firm commitment to re-open pay talks should inflation rise sharply or there are significant changes to the labour market and/or to recruitment and retention. This process will be overseen by the independent pay review body. The Pay Review Body will continue to monitor and report on pay through the three year period.

* Future talks

The parties have also agreed to hold further talks within the three year period on proposals to reduce the number of incremental pay points (starting with bands 6 and 7) that are affordable within the context of future pay awards. This could lead to staff in those bands reaching the highest value pay point sooner.

The trade unions claim for a reduction in the 37.5 hours of the working week will also be considered within talks between the parties on productivity improvements in the NHS.

* Non pay elements

The parties have also agreed a revised trade union facilities agreement and a work – life balance and well being statement.

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