Today (15 March) Jeremy Hunt delivered his first budget statement as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It was hoped he would announce measures to tackle the deepening nursing workforce crisis and ongoing risks to patient safety – issues we’ve repeatedly raised while campaigning for fair pay.
However, Mr Hunt’s speech didn’t mention nursing and barely touched on the NHS or social care. He promised instead to publish the long-awaited health service workforce plan soon, but provided no further detail.
Responding to the budget statement, RCN Director for England Patricia Marquis said: “England's NHS and social care system is ailing and the budget did not put it on a better path. Jeremy Hunt is on the record less than a year ago raising the alarm over the greatest workforce crisis in NHS history but as Chancellor he is not yet gripping it.
“The Chancellor found billions to cut fuel duties but left those working in health and care with little assurance they will get the funding that is urgently required.
"Without staff, the NHS cannot plan for recovery in patient and public services – yet there was only a passing reference to the long-awaited workforce plan.”
The RCN’s pay talks with the UK government and other unions are continuing. We've set out our evidence and made the strongest case for fair pay for nursing to decision-makers in Westminster. As soon as there is a formal offer, you will have the final say.
