HC Deb 01 May 1990 vol 171 c529W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much nurses' pay has increased in the last four years.

54. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the pay and conditions of nurses and midwives employed by the National Health Service since 1979.

132. Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the pay and conditions of nurses and midwives in the National Health Service have changed since 1979.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Pay for nursing and midwifery staff has risen by more than 43 per cent. on average in real terms since 1979, and over 22 per cent. since 1985. Pay levels are higher in real terms than those recommended in the Halsbury report (1974) and the Clegg report (1979).

In 1983 the Government established an independent pay review body to recommend levels of pay for nursing and midwifery staff. All seven review body reports have been implemented in full, with staging in three cases.

Hours of work were reduced from 40 to 37.5 a week during 1980–81 without loss of pay. This was equivalent to a 6.5 per cent. increase in pay.

New clinical and education grading structures were introduced in 1988 and 1989 respectively, which provide better and more flexible career opportunities for those staff engaged in clinical and teaching practice. A new pay structure for senior nurse managers is currently being discussed in the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council.

71. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the midwifery profession to discuss their grading.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Ministerial colleagues and I have met representatives of midwives on a number of occasions to discuss a range of matters. The issue of grading was specifically raised most recently when the Royal College of Midwives met my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State in December 1988.

90. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the current levels of nurse staffing.

103. Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the current levels of nurse staffing.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 18 April at column875.