§ Mr. Mark RobinsonTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about nurses' pay. [22336]
§ The Prime MinisterThe report for 1995–96 of the Independent Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine was published on 9 February 1995. The review body recommended a 1 per cent. national increase in pay, with additional increases to be negotiated locally. The718W Government accepted the review body's recommendations in full.
I am advised that offers have been made by 175 NHS trusts. Since the vast majority meet the nurses demand for a rise of 3 per cent., I assume that the offers are acceptable to them. It was that to which I was referring in the House yesterday.