Thank you for contacting me about industrial action being undertaken by staff in the NHS.
I am pleased that the Government has recently approved pay deals that recognise the significant contribution that NHS workers have made to serving patients across the country, and the challenges they face through the rising cost of living.
As a result of talks between the Government, NHS employers and the unions, an offer was made for NHS staff to receive an additional pay rise of 2 per cent for 2022-23, on top of the 4 per cent increase recommended through the Independent Pay Review Body process. A "Backlog Bonus" of at least £1,250 will also be paid in recognition of the dedication and efforts of NHS staff during the pandemic and their role in cutting waiting lists.
For 2023-24, the Government has accepted the independent pay review bodies’ pay recommendations in full, recognising the vital contribution that NHS staff make to our country. This will mean that pay scales for most doctors and dentists will increase by at least 6 per cent this year.
Around 130,000 full-time equivalent doctors and dentists, including junior doctors and consultants will see their pay rise in line with the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s (DDRB) recommendations. This agreement means pay for a first year junior doctor will increase by 10.3 per cent.
I believe that these pay deals reflect the Government’s recognition of the hard work and dedication of staff across the NHS over a challenging few years during and since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Junior Doctors
Pay for junior doctors will be increased by 8.8 per cent on average. Average basic pay for a first year junior doctor will increase from £29,300 to £32,300, while a junior doctor in core training with 3 years’ experience will see their salaries increase from £40,200 to £43,900.
This pay deal recognises the vital contribution of junior doctors in delivering patient care. In recent months, strike action has significantly disrupted patient care, and I strongly encourage the BMA to accept this deal, and shift away from their unsustainable position of demanding full pay restoration. Strike action has also cost taxpayers millions of pounds, with the NHS having to pay for cover to ensure patients can continue to be cared for - money that could be used to deliver more operations. The Government remains open to talks with the BMA on matters other than pay, such as improving working conditions for junior doctors.
Consultants
I strongly oppose the ongoing strike action by NHS consultants, which will only add to the disruption that patients have faced this year. During the last eight months, almost 1 million appointments across acute, mental health, ambulance and community services have been postponed in England because of industrial action.
As you will know, the Government has recently accepted recommendations from NHS pay review bodies to increase pay for doctors in 2023-24. The independent pay review body process has operated for over four decades, and considers factors including the cost of living and inflation, recruitment, retention and value for the taxpayer.
For consultants, pay will increase by 6 per cent, meaning that starting basic full-time pay will increase from more than £88,300 to £93,600. This is in addition to the 4.5 per cent pay rise that consultants received last year. In combination with on-call payments and other activities, the average consultant’s NHS earnings are expected to increase to £134,000 a year.
As my colleague Steve Barclay has recently stated, this pay award is not up for negotiation and unions still in dispute with the Government are being urged to end their strikes immediately.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
October 2023