§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she will take to ensure that the nursing profession receive a 3 per cent. pay increase; and if she will make a statement. [17880]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Government accepted the recommendation from the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine that there should be a 1 per cent. increase in national salary rates and local negotiations on pay—including, where appropriate, leads and allowances—and/or conditions. The NPRB's expectation that the outcome of local negotiations plus the 1 per cent. increase in national pay should provide improvements for staff totalling between 1.5 and 3 per cent. is endorsed by the Government.
So far, some 60 trusts have signalled their intended approach to pay for their nursing staff. About 70 per cent. of these are proposing to pay an increase of around 3 per cent. The Government expect this trend to continue.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she will take to ensure the independence from Government influence of the Nurses' Pay Review Body; and if she will make a statement. [17867]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine which was set up in 1983 always has been and continues to be an independent body.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to await the conclusion of an enabling agreement by the Nurses and Midwives Negotiating Council before promoting any local pay settlements for nurses; and if she will make a statement. [17866]
§ Mr. MaloneTrusts already have freedom to negotiate local deals. However, an enabling provision in the national terms and conditions of service will further facilitate local pay bargaining.